Senior lawyer cites ‘national integrity’ in exiting AAP MLA Malik’s PSA case

In a setback to the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) legal efforts to secure the release of its MLA Mehraj Malik, who was recently detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA), one of the prominent lawyers and president of the J&K High Court Bar Association, Nirmal Kotwal, has withdrawn from representing Malik, citing concerns over ‘national integrity.’ On September 14, AAP had announced a legal team comprising 10 senior advocates from J&K who had agreed to represent Malik, who was detained under the stringent PSA by the Doda district administration.

Mehraj Malik, 37, was detained on September 8 in Doda for allegedly disturbing public order and was lodged in Kathua district jail.

Kotwal, in a statement, said that certain issues came to his attention through social media, prompting him to recuse himself from representing Malik.

“It has come to my notice that certain videos are in circulation wherein Mehraj Malik has allegedly stated that Jammu & Kashmir is not a part of India and has also praised terrorists Burhan Wani and Masood Azhar. At the very outset, I wish to state that these videos and statements were never brought to my knowledge by the legal team of the AAP while briefing me in connection with the matter wherein the Public Safety Act has been imposed against Mehraj Malik,” Kotwal, a senior advocate, said.

He added that these alleged utterances are extremely “insensitive, irresponsible and detrimental to the cause of national security, sovereignty and integrity of India.”

“As an officer of the court and as a citizen of this great nation, I place the interest of the nation above all else,” he said.

Kotwal further stated: “In light of this, and in keeping with my conscience, professional ethics, and commitment to national integrity, I hereby recuse myself from representing Mehraj Malik in the matter concerning the PSA proceedings. The unity and sovereignty of India are non-negotiable, and any act or statement undermining them cannot be condoned under any circumstances.”

After days of unrest and restrictions, Doda district has now returned to normalcy. Protest demonstrations had erupted in some parts of the district following Malik’s detention.

Meanwhile, in his first statement after Malik’s incarceration, his personal assistant Aamir Hamid Malik said on social media on Malik’s behalf: “Your support, cutting across political ideologies, from different districts of J&K and across India, has given immense strength to our collective voice.”

“A special word of appreciation goes to the brave people of Doda, who despite facing merciless beatings, detentions and arrests, continued to stand firm in solidarity. I have no words strong enough to express my gratitude. Your support will always remain a source of courage and inspiration in our struggle for justice and dignity,” the statement read.

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Courtesy: The Tribune -19th Sept., 2025