Yasin Malik gets life term: What judge who sentenced Kashmiri separatist said

Malik's trial took place in the court of special NIA judge Praveen Singh, who, among other things, observed that the case failed the test of ‘rarest of rare cases.’

Published on: May 25, 2022, 22:01:26 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik was on Wednesday handed life imprisonment by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in connection with a 2017 terror funding case. Malik, a Kashmiri separatist, was, on May 19, convicted on various charges under the said case.

Police escort Yasin Malik (C) to the Patiala House Court in New Delhi. (AFP)

Also Read | NIA court sentences Yasin Malik to life imprisonment in terror funding case

Malik's trial took place in the court of special NIA judge Praveen Singh who, eventually, sent the former behind bars for life. In sentencing the 56-year-old, the judge made the following significant remarks:

(1.) 'The convict may have given up the gun in 1994, but never expressed any regret for violence committed prior to 1994 and still remained engaged in violent acts."

(2.) On the convict's claim he was following ‘Gandhian principle of non-violence,’ the judge said the former ‘cannot invoke the Mahatma’ because unlike Malik, who continued to engage in violence despite giving up the gun, Gandhi called off the entire non-cooperation movement after one incident of violence at Chauri Chara.

Also Read | Yasin Malik sentenced to life imprisonment under these charges

(3.) “The offences committed were of a very serious nature, and intended to strike at the heart of the idea of India and to forcefully secede J&K from the Union of India.”

(4.) The judge added that the seriousness of the crimes increased as these were committed (a) with the assistance and involvement of foreign powers and designated terrorists, (b) behind the ‘smokescreen’ of an alleged peaceful political movement.

Also Read | Who is Yasin Malik - Kashmiri separatist sentenced to life imprisonment?

(5.) Finally, judge Praveen Singh concluded that due to the manner of commission of the crimes, and the sort of weaponry used, these would fail the test of ‘rarest of rare cases.’

Also Read | Pakistani politicians fume after Yasin Malik gets life term in ‘sham’ terror funding case

The court, meanwhile, also slapped a fine of more than ₹10 lakh on the JKLF chief. On May 10, he pleaded guilty on all charges.

(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.