Yasin Malik Sentenced to Life Imprisionment by Delhi Court For Terror Funding Case

• Image Credit: Internet

• May 25, 2022 | Kabir Chakraborty

"I was arrested within 30 minutes of meeting Burhan Wani. In court, Yasin Malik stated, "Because I was not a criminal, Atal Bihari Vajpayee issued me a passport and India allowed me to make a statement."

Digital Desk: A Special NIA Court in
Delhi on Wednesday sentenced Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik to life
imprisonment after he was convicted in connection with the Jammu and Kashmir
terror funding case. Malik had pleaded guilty in the case and did not contest
the charges against him.

The
order was pronounced by Special NIA Judge Praveen Singh, who clarified that the
sentence would run concurrently. 

The National Investigation Agency
(NIA) had sought the death penalty for the separatist leader.

Malik
was earlier brought to the courtroom amid heavy security cover, and personnel
from the paramilitary forces and Delhi Police were present inside the courtroom.

"I
was arrested within 30 minutes of meeting Burhan Wani. In court, Yasin Malik
stated, "Because I was not a criminal, Atal Bihari Vajpayee issued me a
passport and India allowed me to make a statement."

The
judge stated that there was no other case against Yasin Malik prior to this
one.

In
this case, the NIA has sought the death penalty in accordance with Section 121
(waging war against the government). The minimum sentence is life in prison.

Malik
also stated that he has adhered to Mahatma Gandhi’s principles since giving up
his arms in 1994. "I’ve been doing nonviolent politics in Kashmir since
then," he explained.

He
claimed to have worked with seven Prime Ministers and challenged Indian
intelligence agencies to reveal whether he had been involved in any terrorist
or violent activities in the previous 28 years. "I will leave politics and
accept the death penalty," he said.

Parts
of Srinagar were shut down today in anticipation of the verdict. Shops and
other commercial establishments were closed in some areas of the city. However,
public transportation and private vehicles were fully operational.

Security
personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas of Srinagar to prevent a
breakdown in law and order, according to officials.