Srinagar, Sep.11,2025:Sanjay Singh house arrest Srinagar came under intense scrutiny on 11 September 2025, when Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh claimed that he was confined to a government guest house in Srinagar, unable to leave. He alleges this occurred because he intended to lead a protest and hold a press conference against the detention of Mehraj Malik, the AAP MLA from Doda, under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
According to reports-
- Singh and MLA Imran Hussain were stopped from leaving the guest house. Police prevented them from addressing the press.
- Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister and president of the National Conference (NC), came to meet Sanjay Singh at the guest house. He was not allowed to enter; Singh attempted to scale the gate to communicate.
- Singh posted videos on X (formerly Twitter) showing locked gates, police presence, and that the guest house had become, in his words, “a police camp.” He described the situation as “very sad” and said the actions represented a suppression of democratic and free speech rights.
Legal grounds & PSA- Understanding the context
What is PSA
The Public Safety Act (PSA), 1978 is a law in Jammu & Kashmir (now Union Territory) that allows detention without trial for up to two years in some cases, often invoked for reasons of “public order” or when someone is allegedly engaging in activities prejudicial to security or stability.
Mehraj Malik, the AAP MLA from Doda, was detained under PSA, reportedly for alleged statements or actions viewed by authorities as derogatory or provocative.
Is “house arrest” legally declared?
An important detail is that while Sanjay Singh and others claim house arrest, there were no clear public orders cited stating that a formal “house arrest” or preventive detention was issued specifically for him.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioned under what law or order Sanjay Singh was prevented from leaving the guest house. He asked whether any preventive detention or PSA order was served on Singh.
Reactions from Omar Abdullah & political leaders
Omar Abdullah’s condemnation
CM Omar Abdullah strongly condemned the alleged house arrest of Sanjay Singh. He emphasized:
- This is “not just a claim, but a reality.”
- Such actions send a worrying message for democracy in Jammu & Kashmir.
- He questioned the legality of both Mehraj Malik’s arrest under PSA and Singh being barred from moving out. According to him, if there is a complaint against Malik’s behavior, proper procedural channels (like Assembly Secretariat or Speaker) should be used instead of invoking PSA.
He also offered legal assistance to Mehraj Malik and urged AAP to appoint lawyers familiar with PSA law in J&K.
Political opposition & civil society
- AAP leaders described the situation as suppression of dissent. Sanjay Singh said that raising voice in a democracy is a constitutional right.
- Former CM Farooq Abdullah was involved but only able to communicate across a gate when blocked from entering the guest house.
- Other opposition parties also criticized the actions, describing them as undemocratic and harmful to trust in democratic institutions.
Voices from AAP, NC & civil society
Sanjay Singh’s perspective
Sanjay Singh claims:
- He was prevented from leaving the guest house.
- The guest house was converted into a “police camp.”
- He was not allowed to meet Farooq Abdullah, even though Abdullah came to meet him upon hearing of the alleged house arrest.
- He criticized what he saw as increasing authoritarian tendencies.
NC’s Farooq Abdullah
Farooq Abdullah attempted to meet Singh but was stopped at the gate. The visuals show him speaking from outside the locked gate. He expressed concern over suppression of opposition voices.
Public reactions & concerns
- Many citizens and political commentators see this as part of a pattern: the use of stringent laws (like PSA) against opposition leaders.
- Civil rights advocates are concerned that detaining elected representatives without transparent legal orders undermines trust in democratic institutions.
Democracy under question
Erosion of opposition rights
Using administrative tools or law enforcement to block opposition leaders from protest or speech can chill dissent — a key function in any democracy. If a Rajya Sabha MP cannot address public issues or meet senior leaders because of such restrictions, that’s a troubling precedent.
Legal transparency & rule of law
Legal systems demand clear orders and justifications. Questions like “Which law / PSA order / preventive detention order was used?” highlight necessity for transparency. Without that, actions seem arbitrary.
Public perception & governance narrative
Government often projects the message that Jammu & Kashmir is peaceful and stable. Incidents like this expose a contrast to that narrative, especially among local populations and observers.
What comes next
- AAP may pursue legal remedies—seeking clarity about what orders were issued, if any, and perhaps challenging the alleged house arrest in courts.
- Media and civil society will likely increase pressure to ensure that actions of authorities are subject to oversight.
- Monitoring whether similar restrictions are imposed on other opposition leaders will be important to track whether this becomes a pattern.
“Sanjay Singh house arrest Srinagar” is more than an allegation—it’s a flashpoint in the ongoing tension between state authority and democratic rights in Jammu & Kashmir. The incident raises urgent questions on legality, democracy, and whether constitutional rights are being preserved or suppressed. As legal, political, and public responses evolve, India’s democratic credentials in the region are once again under the spotlight.
