Doda: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Jammu and Kashmir president and Doda MLA Mehraj Malik was detained by police on Tuesday and produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court here following execution of a non-bailable warrant issued in connection with a pending criminal case.
Police clarified that Malik was not detained in connection with any fresh case but was taken into custody for execution of the court-issued warrant before being produced in court.
During the proceedings, the court framed charges against Malik in the old case, paving the way for the trial to proceed further in accordance with law.
After appearing before the court, Malik told reporters that he had complied with the court’s order and was following the legal process.
“Whatever it is, we are following the law. I have appeared before the court as required,” he said, adding that the subsequent action was for the police and administration to decide.
Malik, however, used the occasion to raise allegations against what he described as a “mafia” operating in Doda.
He alleged that an FIR against him was wrongly registered and said the administration should also take note of the issues he had been raising.
Referring to illegal mining and alleged encroachment or activities around local sites, Malik warned that he would not allow what he called “mafia” activities to continue openly.
He said he had written to the Deputy Commissioner regarding the matter and warned that the DC and security authorities would be held responsible if action was not taken against those allegedly involved.
“I will not allow the mafia to openly loot the people,” Malik said, while asserting that he would continue to raise such issues despite legal or administrative pressure.
He also said Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary had visited the area recently and had seen the situation, expressing hope that action would follow.
Security was tightened around the court complex as Malik appeared before the court, with supporters and onlookers gathering outside.
The development comes months after the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court granted Malik major relief by quashing his detention under the Public Safety Act in April 2026 and holding the preventive detention unlawful.
Malik became a prominent political figure in the Chenab Valley after winning the 2024 Assembly election from Doda. He polled 23,228 votes against BJP candidate Gajay Singh Rana’s 18,690 votes, winning by 4,538 votes.
His victory gave the AAP its first-ever Assembly seat in Jammu and Kashmir.
With charges now framed in the pending case, the matter will proceed before the trial court, while Malik has indicated that he will continue to pursue his allegations against illegal activities and what he describes as the local “mafia” through administrative and legal channels.
