J&K Speaker rejects Congress, NC's plea for discussion on AAP MLA's detention; HC quashes aide's preventive custody

SRINAGAR: MLAs from National Conference ( NC ) and Congress , seeking the release of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lone MLA Mehraj Malik, unsuccessfully pressed the Speaker Thursday for a discussion on Malik’s detention under Public Safety Act on Sept 8 after a viral video showed him hurling abuse at the Doda deputy commissioner.

The Speaker reasoned that the session, commenced Thursday, was convened to pay homage to House members and prominent politicians who had passed away since the last sitting of the House, and that he would not allow any other business during the obituary reference.

NC MLAs Tanvir Sadiq and Hilal Akbar Lone, along with AIP MLA Sheikh Khursheed, raised the issue of Malik’s detention in the assembly. AIP member Sheikh Khurshid described Malik’s arrest as a blow to democracy.

Meanwhile the high court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh quashed the preventive detention of Malik’s close aide Mohammad Rafi, alias Pinka, observing that the allegations levelled for detention are “vague, absurd and baseless”.