Jammu: Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mehraj Malik at the Center welcomed in Jammu after his release from Kathua jail after Jammu and Kashmir High Court canceled his detention under the Public Safety Act. (PTI photo)

AAP MLA from Doda (East) Mehraj Malik was released from Kathua district jail on Tuesday after almost eight months following the Jammu and Kashmir High Court’s order canceling his detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA).His family and supporters described the court order as a “triumph of truth”, while the MLA thanked the judiciary and his supporters and pledged to continue fighting for the people.On Monday, Justice Mohammad Yousuf Wani quashed the detention order issued by the Doda deputy commissioner, calling it legally untenable and based on “non-application of mind”. Malik, president of AAP’s Jammu and Kashmir unit and the only MLA in the union territory, was detained under PSA on September 8 last year on charges of disturbing public order.Malik’s family members, supporters and partisans including Delhi MLA Imran Hussain were present outside the jail to welcome him. As soon as he came out after completing the formalities, they garlanded him, raised slogans and danced to the beats of dholak. His father Shammas Deen said, “Truth always wins. God above is watching everything.”Malik had filed a habeas corpus petition in the HC on September 24, 2025, challenging his detention and seeking Rs 5 crore as compensation. The court had reserved its decision on 23 February.