Mehraj Malik, an Aam Aadmi Party MLA representing Doda in Jammu and Kashmir, was released from Kathua jail on Tuesday after spending eight months in detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA). His detention was quashed by the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court. Upon his release, Malik addressed supporters and emphasized the need for youth to engage in politics, stating that change cannot occur without political involvement. He acknowledged the challenges faced by newcomers in the political arena but insisted that there is no alternative to political action for improving the lives of citizens. Malik's arrest in September 2025 followed his criticism of the then Doda District Magistrate, who invoked the PSA against him. He expressed a commitment to continue his struggle for public welfare and urged young people to join him in the political sphere.