Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 18: In a significant development, the Jammu and Kashmir government has assured the High Court of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh that necessary arrangements have been made to enable jailed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mehraj Malik to cast his vote in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections through a postal ballot. Malik, the sole AAP MLA in the region, is set to participate in the elections scheduled for October 24, 2025, despite being in custody.
During a hearing before Justice Rajesh Sekhri on Saturday, senior advocate Sunil Sethi, accompanied by Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli, informed the court that the government had already dispatched the postal ballot to the competent authority to facilitate Malik’s voting rights. The submission was made in response to an application filed by Malik, who sought permission to exercise his franchise and participate in the upcoming assembly session starting October 23, 2025.
Malik’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate Rahul Pant and supported by a group of lawyers, urged the court to urgently consider both requests. While the government confirmed that steps had been taken to ensure Malik’s ability to vote, it did not provide details on his participation in the assembly session. The court noted that the government’s formal reply to Malik’s application was not yet on record and directed the registry to ensure it is properly documented.
Justice Sekhri emphasized the importance of upholding Malik’s voting rights, directing the government to ensure compliance with legal provisions to allow the detained MLA to cast his vote. The court scheduled the next hearing for October 27, 2025, to specifically address Malik’s second request regarding physical participation in the assembly session.
This development comes as a critical moment for the AAP in Jammu and Kashmir, with Malik being its only representative in the region. The case highlights ongoing debates about the rights of detained elected representatives to participate in democratic processes. The court’s directive underscores the balance between legal custody and the constitutional rights of elected officials.
Further updates on the matter are expected as the court reviews the government’s response and considers Malik’s participation in the assembly session next week. For now, the government’s proactive steps to provide a postal ballot ensure that Malik can exercise his democratic rights in the Rajya Sabha elections. |
