MLA Mehraj Malik Slapped with PSA, Branded ‘Habitual Offender’ in Explosive Dossier

The Jammu and Kashmir administration’s detention dossier against Doda MLA Mehraj Din Malik, accessed exclusively by Srinagar-based news gathering agency Kashmir Dot Com, levels a series of grave allegations portraying him as a habitual offender, provocateur, and persistent threat to public order.

Malik was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) vide Order No. PSA 05 of 2025 dated September 8 and lodged in District Jail, Kathua.

According to the dossier prepared by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Doda, and placed before the District Magistrate, Malik has consistently misused his position as an elected representative by “glorifying militant Burhan Wani, urging followers to act as lashkars, calling upon people to burn government offices, and even promoting the use of chitta (heroin) as a way to enhance intelligence, among others.” The dossier describes him as a “history-sheeter of PS Gandoh” and a “habitual offender” who believes himself above the law.

The dossier accessed by Kashmir Dot Com records that between 2014 and 2025 a total of 18 FIRs were registered against Mehraj Malik across Police Stations Gandoh, Doda and Bahu Fort in Jammu, reflecting what it describes as a long criminal record.

At Police Station Gandoh, the cases include FIR 22 of 2014 under sections 353, 323 and 504 RPC, FIRs 54 and 59 of 2016 under section 341 and 504 RPC, and FIR 103 of 2021 under sections 353, 427 and 504 IPC.

It further mentions FIR 103 of 2023 under sections 341, 504 and 506 IPC, FIR 105 of 2023 under sections 153-A and 295-A IPC, followed by a series of cases from 2024 including FIRs 46, 47 and 48 under sections 188 IPC and 353, 452, 147, 504 and 506 IPC, as well as FIRs 92, 94, 96, 99 of 2024 and FIR 90 of 2025 under various provisions of the newly introduced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

At Bahu Fort Police Station in Jammu, the dossier cites FIR 55 of 2023 registered under sections 307, 332, 336, 323, 341, 147 and 148 IPC along with the 3/4 PDPP Act. From Police Station Doda, the dossier refers to FIRs 212 and 229 of 2024 under the BNS, and FIR 130 of 2025 under sections 356(2), 79 and 351(2) of the same code.

The document further clarifies that three cases including FIR 22 of 2014, FIR 54 of 2016 and FIR 59 of 2016 were closed through compounding or government amnesty, while one case, FIR 105 of 2023, was not admitted. Out of the remaining cases, eight are currently under investigation and six are under trial, which according to the dossier shows a consistent pattern of criminal activity.

In addition to the FIRs, the dossier records 16 Daily Diary Reports (DDRs) filed at Police Stations Gandoh, Doda, Thathri and PP Kahara between 2021 and 2025. These DDRs accuse Malik of instigating protests, provoking the public against the government, and repeatedly disturbing peace in sensitive areas of Doda district.

The dossier states that Malik frequently used Facebook Live sessions to verbally attack officials, spread misinformation, and instigate his more than two lakh followers. His online addresses allegedly glorified slain militant Burhan Wani, equated youth with lashkars, and called upon them to burn government offices to press demands. The dossier further alleges that Malik encouraged drug abuse by suggesting that consuming chitta could boost intelligence, a statement described as having “every propensity to benefit evil designs of militant groups and enemy states.”

The dossier also contains allegations of derogatory and misogynistic remarks made by Malik against women doctors at Government Medical College Doda. It cites an official communication from the Principal of GMC Doda alleging that Malik threatened to “drag and undress” women doctors and used abusive terms like “muh par thukunga” (spit on face) and dalla (pimp). Authorities claim such remarks degraded public discourse and emboldened youth to mimic his behavior, paralysing emergency services and hospital functions on certain occasions.

During recent floods and landslides, Malik allegedly obstructed relief efforts in his constituency. The dossier states that he unlawfully kept essential medicines under lock for more than 10 days, refusing to hand them back to medical staff for distribution to villagers in dire need, despite repeated persuasion.

After reviewing the dossier and reports from the Executive Magistrate, District Magistrate Harvinder Singh wrote that Malik’s actions “pose a serious and persistent threat to public order.” The detention order stated: “The liberty of a citizen is undoubtedly important but has to balance with the safety of the community, especially when an individual openly questions the law of the land, repeatedly terms himself above law, and resorts to violence and provocation.”

The District Magistrate said that Malik’s continued freedom would “definitely have an adverse impact on peace and public order in Doda,” particularly when the district is struggling with the aftermath of natural calamities.

With this order, Mehraj Din Malik, elected from the Doda-52 constituency, became the first sitting legislator in Jammu and Kashmir to be detained under the Public Safety Act since the 2019 reorganisation of the state. (KDC)