Court frames ‘war’ charge

A special NIA court on Wednesday slapped charges of waging war against the country on Wasim Akram Malik, accused in the September 2011 Delhi High Court blast that killed 15 people. HT reports.

A special NIA court on Wednesday slapped charges of waging war against the country on Wasim Akram Malik, accused in the September 2011 Delhi High Court blast that killed 15 people.

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During an in-camera hearing, district judge IS Mehta framed additional charges against Malik, who pleaded not guilty and asked the court to conduct a trial to defend himself. The judge fixed the matter for April 1 for recording of evidence in the case.

Recording of evidence will begin with the examination of co-accused-turned-approver Amir Abbas Dev.

Earlier, the trial court had ruled out framing of charges in the case, but the Delhi High Court overruled its order. The high court had on December 3 ordered the trial court to slap charges of waging war against the country on Malik, who is in jail.

The judge ordered framing of charges under Sections 121 (waging war against country), 121A (Conspiring to commit certain offences against the State), 122 (Collecting arms with intention of waging war against Govt) and 123 (concealing with intent to felicitate a design to wage war) of the Indian Penal Code against Malik, said a court source.