Death sentence to Yasin Malik in terror funding case

By Our Special Correspondent

NIA court in Delhi handed life term to Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik in a case related to terrorism and secessionist activities in 2016-17.

Special Judge Praveen Singh pronounced the verdict under relevant sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act which will be concurrent and it will run till life.

Additional Sessions Judge Parveen Singh awarded two life sentences and varying jail terms, which will all run concurrently, and a fine of Rs 10,65,000 for offences under the stringent anti-terror law — Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) — and the IPC.

Malik said there was no evidence that he had provided any logistical support to any terrorist organization in the last 28 years. Pointing out that he had met many former Prime Ministers, from the time of V P Singh till A B Vajpayee, who engaged with him, he said the government cannot be considered a fool for providing a political platform to a person who will engage in terrorist activities.

During the hearing, the National Investigation Agency told the court that the accused is responsible for the Kashmiri Pandits' exodus from the Valley. The Central probe agency also argued for the death sentence for Malik.

He also told the court, in the previous hearing, that he was not contesting the charges leveled against him, including Section 16 (terrorist act), 17 (raising funds for the terrorist act), 18 (conspiracy to commit terrorist act), and 20 (being member of a terrorist gang or organization) of the UAPA and sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 124-A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code.