Gupkar alliance on life sentence to Yasin Malik: ‘verdict delivered, but not…’

The National Investigation Agency had sought the death penalty for the separatist leader who was convicted on May 19.

Published on: May 26, 2022, 06:35:05 IST

By HT News Desk | Edited by Kunal Gaurav

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) on Wednesday termed the life sentence to Kashmiri separatist Yasin Malik in a terror funding case "unfortunate", saying the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court has 'delivered verdict, but not justice'. The Gupkar alliance, which is campaigning for the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir by restoring the special status, said in a statement that it fears the court's decision will further alienate the people of Kashmir.

Yasin Malik, chairman of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), a separatist party, is escorted by police officers at court premises. (Reuters)

"Life imprisonment given to Yaseen Malik is unfortunate and a setback to the efforts for peace. We are afraid that this will further compound the uncertainties in the region and will only fuel more alienation and separatist feelings," the statement read.

"The triumphalism being displayed by the BJP and the corporate media is bound to prove counterproductive," it added.

The Gupkar alliance suggested Malik should exhaust all legal opportunities to contest this verdict.

On Wednesday, a Delhi court sentenced Malik to life imprisonment for waging war against the State, saying that his crimes struck at the heart of the idea of India but holding that they didn’t fall under the “rarest of rare” category.

Yasin Malik can contest sentence, not conviction: Legal experts

The Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief was sentenced to life imprisonment under Section 121 of the IPC and Section 17 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The court also imposed a fine of ₹10.65 lakh on the convict under various sections.

NIA had sought the death penalty for the separatist leader who was convicted on May 19, but the court held that they didn’t fall under the “rarest of rare” category.

“The manner of the commission of crime, the kind of weapons used in the crime lead me to a conclusion that the crime in question would fail the test of rarest of rare cases as laid down by the Supreme Court,” NIA judge Praveen Singh said.

Malik was linked to several killings in the Valley but later became a part of government outreach programmes.

(With ANI inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.