JAMMU, Sept 18: Senior advocate Nirmal K Kotwal on Thursday recused himself from representing Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mehraj Malik, who was recently detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA), citing videos in which the legislator allegedly questioned Jammu and Kashmir’s status as part of India and praised slain militant Burhan Wani and terrorist Masood Azhar.
“The unity and sovereignty of India are non-negotiable, and any act or statement undermining them cannot be condoned under any circumstances,” Kotwal also president of the Jammu wing of the High Court Bar Association said in a statement.
Malik (37), MLA from Doda, was detained on September 8 for allegedly disturbing public order and lodged in Kathua district jail. On September 14, AAP had announced a 10-member legal team led by Kotwal to challenge his detention.
Kotwal, however, clarified that these alleged videos and statements were never shared with him during his briefing by the AAP legal team. “These utterances, if true, are extremely insensitive, irresponsible, and detrimental to the cause of national security, sovereignty, and integrity of India. In light of the same, and in keeping with my conscience, professional ethics, and commitment to national integrity, I hereby recuse myself from representing Malik in the PSA proceedings,” he stated.