Jammu, 19-03-2025: AAP J&K MLA Mehraj Malik downplayed the non-bailable warrant issued against him by a Jammu court, calling it a personal matter and reiterating his focus on legislative responsibilities. Addressing the media, Malik stated that he is primarily concerned with assembly affairs and dismissed the warrant as a legal formality.
“As an MLA, I am here to discuss the issues of the people and the functioning of the assembly. This (non-bailable warrant) is a personal issue. You may ask me about anything else, but I have nothing to say on this matter—the people will look after it,” Malik remarked.
He further stated that he was unaware of the details of the case, emphasizing that his political mentors would guide him through the legal process. “I don’t even know what the warrant is about. I am busy addressing public concerns in the assembly. It is a non-bailable warrant—I may be arrested, and I may get bail. What more can happen? It’s not as if I have committed a heinous crime; it might be a minor issue,” he asserted.
Despite the legal controversy, Malik shifted focus to governance, questioning the performance of the newly formed J&K government. “The real issue is whether the government is delivering on the promises made during the elections. That is what people should be discussing,” he said.
Mehraj Malik had secured victory from the Doda constituency in the recently held Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, defeating BJP’s Gajay Singh Rana. His win marked the Aam Aadmi Party’s entry into the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly.
Following his victory, AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal had congratulated him via video call, celebrating the party’s expansion into a fifth state/Union Territory. “All AAP workers across the country are thrilled that we now have an MLA in Jammu and Kashmir,” Kejriwal had stated.
The J&K Assembly elections, held in three phases from September 18 to October 1, 2024, saw the NC-Congress alliance securing a majority after a decade-long electoral gap. The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) won 42 seats, while the Congress secured six. The BJP delivered a strong performance with 29 seats, while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won three. Additionally, the People’s Conference, CPI(M), and AAP each secured one seat, alongside seven Independents.