The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has quashed the detention of Mehraj Malik, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Doda, who had been held in Kathua jail for about seven months under the Public Safety Act (PSA). Justice Mohammad Yusuf Wani ordered his release unless he is implicated in other cases. Malik's detention had sparked significant political backlash, with leaders across party lines criticizing the use of the PSA, which they deemed a discredited law. Malik filed a petition challenging his detention and sought ₹5 crore in compensation. Following his arrest, AAP's national convener, Arvind Kejriwal, publicly defended Malik, questioning the justification for his detention over demands for healthcare improvements. The court's ruling is seen as a reaffirmation of judicial oversight in political matters in Jammu and Kashmir, where the PSA has been criticized for its potential misuse against political opponents.