Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat has strongly refuted reports circulating in certain media outlets and social media platforms suggesting that it has endorsed the slapping of provisions of the Public Safety Act (PSA), 1978, on Mehraj Malik, Hon’ble MLA (52-Doda Assembly Constituency).
In an official communique, the Secretariat clarified: “It has been highlighted/reported in some media reports, social media platforms, X (formerly Twitter) that the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat has endorsed the slapping of provisions of Public Safety Act 1978 on Shri Mehraj Malik, Hon’ble MLA (52-Doda Assembly Constituency) which is factually incorrect and baseless as the Secretariat has no role in it.”
The communiqué further stated that the Secretariat was merely fulfilling its obligations under Rule 260 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly by informing all Hon’ble Members of the House about the arrest/detention of the concerned MLA.
Quoting the rule, the Secretariat said: “As soon as may be, the Speaker shall, after he has received a communication referred to in Rule 258 or Rule 259, read it out in the House, if in session, or if the House is not in session, direct that it may be published in the Bulletin for the information of the Members.”
The Assembly Secretariat reiterated that it has no role whatsoever in the imposition of PSA against any legislator.
