Srinagar, Sept 15 : In a significant legal development, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has restrained the police from filing a charge-sheet against Doda MLA Mehraj Malik, even as it permitted the ongoing investigation to proceed.
The interim relief came as a setback to the state’s bid to pursue charges against Malik, who has been held under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
Reacting sharply to the court’s order, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the ruling vindicates the view that Malik’s arrest was “unwarranted and unjustified.” He urged the government to correct its course by withdrawing the PSA case and releasing the legislator without further delay.
“The court has made it clear that no charge-sheet can be filed in this matter as of now. This relief indicates that the arrest under PSA was unnecessary. The government must acknowledge its mistake and release Malik at the earliest,” Omar Abdullah said.
The Chief Minister, however, underlined that police remain free to continue their investigation and report to the court if fresh evidence surfaces, but stressed that prolonging Malik’s detention under PSA would only fuel further controversy.
Political observers say the High Court’s directive and the CM’s strong stand could intensify pressure on the administration to revisit its decision and expedite Malik’s release.
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