Yasin Malik sentenced by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in connection with a 2017 terror funding case.
Yasin Malik, the leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court. It was in connection with a 2017 terror funding case. Malik, a Kashmiri separatist, was convicted on various charges in the case on May 19.
The NIA urged the court to award death penalty to Yasin Malik, but the court held the view that this case doesn’t come in the category of “rarest of rare”. Special NIA judge Praveen Singh concluded because of the manner in which the crimes were committed and the type of weaponry used, the case will fail the ‘rarest of rare cases’ test.
“Yasin said that if I have been involved in any terrorist activity or violence in 28 years, if Indian Intelligence proves this, then I will also retire from politics. I will accept the hanging. I have worked with seven Prime Ministers” said a lawyer present in the court.
Special Public Prosecutor of NIA mentioned in court the Yasin Malik in responsible for the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley. The court reminded him that this the hearing to decide quantum of punishment, “let’s not go into all this. Stick to the facts. This is a terror funding case” said Special NIA Judge.
Yasin Malik Pleaded Guilty:
In the terror funding case, Yasin Malik had pleaded guilty on May 10. He is already a convicted in the case by the court. The NIA’s lawyer requested the harshest possible punishment for Malik. However, Advocate Akhand Pratap Singh (court-appointed amicus) requested a lighter sentence.
On March 16, the NIA Court ordered the filing of charges under various sections of the UAPA against Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed, Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, and Kashmiri separatist leaders which include Yasin Malik, Shabbir Shah, Masarat Alam, and others in a lawsuit concerning terrorist and secessionist activities that shook Jammu and Kashmir.
The court ordered those charges be filed against Kashmiri politician and former MLA Rashid Engineer, businessman Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali, Bitta Karate, Aftab Ahmad Shah, Avatar Ahmad Shah, Naeem Khan, Bashir Ahmed Bhat, alias Peer Saifullah, and others under various sections of the IPC and UAPA, including criminal conspiracy, waging war against the country, unlawful activities, and so on.
During the course of the arguments, none of the accused argued that they do not have a secessionist ideology or agenda, or that they have not worked for or advocated for the secession of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir from India.
Tension in the valley:
On Wednesday, most shops in Srinagar’s main commercial hub and its surrounding markets remained closed. Security forces stationed in large numbers in high-risk areas of the city “to deter any protests.” Markets remain closed in many parts of the old city, including Hawal, Nowhatta, Zaina Kadal, and Safa Kadal.
Protesters, including women, gathered at Malik’s home in Maisuma, Srinagar. Prior to the verdict, Malik’s sister was reciting the Quran. They chanted pro-Malik and pro-freedom slogans, and many clashed with police. To disperse the crowd, police used smoke shells. Malik’s wife, Mushaal Hussein Mullick, who is currently in Pakistan, has stated that he is facing “false” charges.
“The fear of losing power over the people of Kashmir is driving the Indian government to take such harsh stances which have no legal base. India’s BJP wants to punish my husband to increase Modi’s vote bank and make the people of J&K leaderless. India must end these war crimes and politics of hatred and intolerance,” Ms. Malik said, in a tweet.
Read More- Yasin Malik pleads guilty to terror charges
