Jammu, Indian administered Kashmir – The Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered an FIR against the Chief of the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Mehraj Malik, on charges of defamation, criminal intimidation, and insulting the modesty of a woman doctor in Doda district.
The complaint was filed by an associate professor at the Government Medical College, Doda, who has accused Malik of using social media platforms to issue threats and make derogatory, gendered remarks against her. The doctor alleges that the MLA publicly targeted her with abusive language, which she claims was intended to intimidate and malign her professional reputation.
In her complaint to the Doda Police, the complainant described a series of disturbing incidents in which Malik allegedly used social media to make offensive statements, including phrases such as “ghaseetunga” (will drag you) and “will strip you naked.” These, she stated, were not just verbal assaults but clear threats to her dignity and safety.
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“These words are not mere expressions of anger; they are direct threats aimed at my professional and personal integrity as a female doctor. They violate my modesty and threaten my well-being,” the complainant noted in her statement.
Further complicating the situation, the complainant revealed that Malik had also taunted her by saying, “This hospital doesn’t belong to your father,” a remark that she found particularly hurtful, given that her father passed away over a decade ago.
The MLA is also accused of entering the labor room at the hospital without authorization, accompanied by his associates and broadcasting the incident via social media. This alleged act, the complainant stated, was a serious breach of patient privacy, especially for vulnerable female patients and staff, and posed a threat to the hospital’s security protocols.
In addition to the social media harassment, the doctor emphasized the emotional distress caused by Malik’s actions, particularly in a sensitive hospital environment where patients and staff are expected to operate in a space of mutual respect and trust.
This is not the first time Mehraj Malik has found himself embroiled in controversy. Earlier this year, he faced a non-bailable arrest warrant issued by the Special Excise Mobile Magistrate’s Court in Jammu. The warrant was related to a case filed by former Minister Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, accusing Malik of making false statements.
The FIR against Malik has raised concerns about the increasing use of social media for defamation, intimidation, and personal vendettas, particularly in a region already marked by political tensions. Many are now questioning whether public figures are being held accountable for the harmful and unethical use of digital platforms.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police are yet to make an official statement on the investigation. However, the growing outcry over Malik’s alleged behavior has prompted calls for stricter regulations on the use of social media, especially by public figures who wield significant influence.
While the case has sparked debate, the safety and dignity of women professionals in the region, particularly in the medical field, remains at the forefront of discussions. The medical community, including doctors’ associations in Jammu and Kashmir, have expressed solidarity with the complainant, stressing the importance of a secure work environment free from harassment.
As investigations unfold, the case has further underscored the pressing need for accountability and respect in both political and social discourse within Jammu and Kashmir.
