Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 14: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh today took up fresh proceedings in the preventive detention case of Doda (East) MLA Mehraj Malik, who continues to remain under custody following his detention under the J&K Public Safety Act (PSA), 1978 on September 8, 2025.
At today’s hearing before Justice Sanjay Dhar, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed filed an application praying for interim relief. The application specifically sought directions to allow the sitting MLA to participate in the Assembly session and represent his constituency, and cast his vote in the forthcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
It was argued that preventing Malik from discharging his functions as a legislator would not only violate his constitutional rights but also deprive the people of Doda East of effective representation in the legislature.
On behalf of the Union Territory administration, Senior Advocate Sunil Sethi appeared and requested additional time to file objections to the fresh application. After hearing both sides, Justice Sanjay Dhar ordered the UT Government to submit its objections and directed that the application be listed again on Saturday.
Justice Sanjay Dhar further clarified that the main Habeas Corpus petition—challenging Malik’s PSA detention—will be heard on November 7, 2025, by which date the UT administration must file its detailed response.
It may be recalled that on September 24, 2025, Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul had admitted Malik’s Habeas Corpus plea and issued notices to the Principal Secretary (Home), District Magistrate Doda, SSP Doda and Superintendent District Jail Kathua.
These notices were accepted in court by Senior AAG Monika Kohli, who was granted time to file the Government’s reply.
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