Malik approaches court, Speaker informs Jail authorities
Arvind Sharma
Jammu Tawi, Jan 21: Uncertainty prevails over the participation of lone Aam Admi Party (AAP) MLA, Mehraj Malik, in the upcoming budget session Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) beginning from 2nd of February onwards.
The AAP MLA has approached the court seeking permission for participating in the upcoming budget session beginning next month at Jammu but so far there has not been any decision from the court in this regard, reliable sources said.
Mehraj Malik is presently lodged in Kathua Jail under PSA. “We have informed the Kathua Jail authorities about the start of the Budget session beginning from 2nd of February as the AAP MLA is lodged in this jail,” Speaker, J&K Assembly, AR Rather, informed the Northlines.
It is obligatory for us to inform the Jail authorities, the Speaker said. Rather said that our part was just only to inform the Jail authorities about the start of Budget session and it is now upto court to decide on participation of this MLA in House proceedings.
Whatever, the directions come from the court, we will comply with that, the Speaker said. Sources said that daily up and down cost for bringing AAP MLA to the House and then take him back to Kathua Jail amid tight security involves crores of rupees.
“We have informed the Kathua Jail authorities and it is now upto the court whether to permit Malik for participation in House proceedings or not,” the Speaker said, while adding, “Whatever the court orders, we will comply with that in letter and spirit”.
