Jailed Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik has asked a Srinagar court to award him capital punishment in the 1990 murder case of Kashmiri Pandit nurse Sarla Bhat, while deciding not to contest the trial proceedings further, according to reports.
Legal Proceedings Update on Malik’s Case
In a significant development, Malik has submitted a detailed 25-page statement to the Additional Sessions Judge (TADA/POTA) and the Special Judge designated under the NIA Act in Srinagar. This submission was made through his legal representative, Advocate Abu Adil Pandit. The court has scheduled the prosecution’s response to this statement for September 19.
Malik Denies Targeting Allegations in Bhat Case
In response to allegations surrounding the killing of Bhat, Malik has firmly denied claims that she was targeted for allegedly acting as an informer for security forces. He characterized Bhat as an innocent civilian and raised questions about the absence of his name in the investigation conducted at the time of her death.
Malik’s Legal Stance and Personal Developments Amid Ongoing Case
Malik, who has been in custody since 2019 for a terror-funding case, has announced that he will not contest the legal proceedings against him further. He emphasized that this decision, made after ‘deep reflection’ and a voluntary Islamic prayer for divine guidance known as ‘Istikhara’, should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt. Interestingly, he has requested the court to impose capital punishment, despite maintaining his innocence regarding the allegations.
The State Investigation Agency (SIA) filed a comprehensive 737-page charge sheet in June, listing Malik alongside four other individuals—Khurshid Ahmad Chalkoo, Abdul Hamid Sheikh, Mohammad Yousuf Sofi, and Ghulam Mohammad Taploo—as accused in the case related to the killing of Bhat.
Malik has consistently denied any involvement in Bhat’s murder, asserting that he only learned of the incident months later while in judicial custody. He has also challenged the prosecution’s evidence, specifically questioning the authenticity of a handwritten note from the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) purportedly found at the crime scene.
In May 2022, Malik was sentenced to life imprisonment by a special NIA court after pleading guilty to charges related to terror funding. His recent affidavit has added a deeply personal aspect to his ongoing legal struggles, as it reveals his decision to end a marriage, marking yet another significant chapter in his lengthy time in custody.
