MLA Mehraj Malik booked for alleged theft of hospital equipment

September 8, 2025 by News Desk

Police in Doda have registered an FIR against sitting MLA Mehraj Malik, representing the Doda constituency, and five of his supporters for alleged theft of hospital equipment and obstruction of government officials, Daily Excelsior reported.

According to sources, the case (FIR No. 90/2025) was filed at Police Station Gandoh after the BMO Thathri lodged a complaint. The MLA and his associates have been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for allegedly removing equipment and belongings from the AAM health centre at Kencha in Block Thathri, and for obstructing staff while the centre was being shifted.

The FIR names Mohd Shafi, Ghulam Ali, Shoaib Malik, Jaffer Hussain (all residents of Kencha, Kahara, Gandoh), Sufian Malik (resident of Malanoo, Kachara, Gandoh), and Mehraj Malik himself (resident of Tendla, Chilly Pingal, Gandoh). It states that the MLA, along with the others, disrupted the work of Rajat Parihar, MLHP, and ANM Ghazala, before allegedly taking away items from the centre. Sources added that Malik was pressuring officials to shift the health centre to the residence of one of his supporters.

Earlier, he accused DC Harvinder Singh of misusing the Public Safety Act (PSA) to silence protestors. In a viral live-stream, Malik claimed, “A common man can’t even raise his voice against bureaucratic failures now.” He also criticized large-scale waste of public funds at a waste segregation plant, calling the DC a “gunda” and alleging collusion with local mafias.

Malik has repeatedly accused sections of the medical fraternity of running a “private hospital mafia” by diverting patients away from government facilities. In May 2025, he issued a strongly worded statement at GMC Doda, saying: “Either government hospitals will run in my district, or a mafia of private hospitals will.” He also wrote to the GMC Principal citing absenteeism, misuse of ambulances, and manipulated biometric records, and even announced a 24-member monitoring committee.

However, his aggressive approach triggered a backlash. Doctors at GMC Doda launched an indefinite strike, accusing him of intimidation and derogatory remarks.

An FIR was also filed against him after Dr. Madhu Chib alleged he had threatened her during a livestream and breached patient privacy by entering a restricted labour room. The United Doctors Front Association (UDFA) condemned his conduct as “grossly unbecoming” and demanded action.

With this latest FIR over the hospital equipment row, Malik’s strained relationship with the local administration and medical fraternity appears to be worsening. While his supporters argue he is exposing corruption and standing up for ordinary citizens, his critics accuse him of overstepping limits, using intimidation, and undermining institutions.

The case is under investigation