J&K Asembly Speaker says detained MLA Malik can attend session if court or govt permits
Srinagar, Oct 3 – Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather shared his thoughts on Friday about jailed Doda MLA Mehraj Malik possibly joining the upcoming session. He called it a positive move if Malik shows up, but stressed that the final call rests with the court or the government.
Rather explained that Malik must go through legal steps to get permission. “He needs to approach the court, or if the government allows him, he should attend. It depends on whether the government or the court permits him,” Rather said.
Shifting to PDP legislator Waheed Parra, Rather noted that the show-cause notice against him remains under review. “Parra has submitted his reply, and the matter is under consideration,” he added.
Rather also cleared up some false claims from Parra, who had suggested the Assembly Secretariat backed the Public Safety Act (PSA) against the Doda MLA. That’s not true, Rather said. “The Secretariat does not have such powers. PSA is imposed by the District Magistrate,” he pointed out firmly.
Looking ahead, the J&K Assembly session kicks off on October 23, called by the Lieutenant Governor. Expect a short one, with a provisional schedule coming out soon.
For context, authorities detained Malik under the PSA, which lets officials hold someone for up to two years without trial if their actions threaten peace and order. The District Magistrate in Doda made the call on Malik.
Malik grabbed the Doda seat in the 2024 J&K Assembly elections as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate. He’s AAP’s lone voice in the 90-member house. At first, he backed the National Conference government led by Omar Abdullah. But he pulled his support later, accusing them of breaking voter promises.
The J&K Assembly splits evenly-ish between regions, with 47 members from the Kashmir Valley and 43 from Jammu division.
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