Tawqeer Hussain
The National Investigation Court (NIA) on Wednesday handed over life imprisonment to Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Chief Yasin Malik in 2017 terror funding case.
“Two life sentences and five punishments of 10 years of rigorous imprisonment each have been awarded. All sentences are to run concurrently. A monetary penalty of over ₹ 10 lakh has also been levied,” lawyer Umesh Sharma told reporters outside Delhi’s Patiala House court.
“Different prison sentences and fines have been awarded for different cases. Yasin Malik now has the option to appeal the sentencing in the High Court” he added.
NIA Sought Death Penalty
Earlier today, the NIA sought the death penalty for convicted Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik. The agency made the submission before special judge Praveen Singh, while the amicus curiae appointed by the court to assist Malik sought life imprisonment, the minimum punishment in the matter.
According to the reports, during the arguments on quantum of Punishment, Malik made brief statements before the court, pleading that he has been following the principles of Mahatma Gandhi ever since he gave up arms in 1994.
“I was arrested within 30 minutes of Burhan Wani’s encounter. Atal Bihari Vajpayee allotted me a passport and India allowed me to make a statement because I was not a criminal,” Yasin Malik said in court.
Malik, meanwhile, told the judge that he was leaving it to the court to decide the quantum of punishment.
Shutdown In Parts Of Srinagar
Parts of Srinagar observed a spontaneous shutdown on Wednesday ahead of a court’s verdict on the quantum of sentence for separatist Yasin Malik, who has been convicted in a terror funding case, officials said.
Most of the shops and business establishments in Maisuma and adjoining areas, including some shops in Lal Chowk, were shut, they said.
Shops in some areas of the old city here were also shut, however, public transport was plying normally.
Security forces have been deployed in strength in the city to avoid any law and order problems.
Malik Convicted
On May 19 Yasin Malik was convicted by NIA after he pleaded guilty in terror funding case.
Malik had on May 10 told the court that he was not contesting the charges levelled against him that included section 16 (terrorist act), 17 (raising funds for terrorist act), 18 (conspiracy to commit terrorist act) and 20 (being member of terrorist gang or organisation) of the UAPA and sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 124-A (sedition) of the IPC.
(With PTI inputs)
