Kashmir separatist Yasin Malik sentenced to life

New Delhi: Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, convicted for terror funding, was sentenced to life in prison by a special Delhi court. The National Investigation Agency had demanded the maximum punishment, the death penalty, while the defense pleaded for life imprisonment.

“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 said. 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 had earlier pleaded guilty to all the charges including those under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in a terror funding case. A special NIA court in Delhi pronounced its verdict on the quantum of punishment in the case.

“If I have been involved in any terrorist activity or violence in 28 years, if Indian Intelligence proves this, then I will also retire from politics. I will accept the hanging. With seven prime ministers, I have worked… I will not beg for anything. The case is before this court and I left on the court to decide it.”

– JKLF leader Yasin Malik

Malik said he has followed the principles of Mahatma Gandhi ever since he gave up arms in 1994. “I have been doing non-violent politics in Kashmir ever since,” he said.

Protests against the court’s verdict erupted in Maisuma locality – Malik’s native place which is at a short distance from Lal Chowk city center – as his supporters and relatives arrived at his house and raised slogans demanding his release. Several parts of the city, meanwhile, observed a shutdown against the verdict.

Mobile internet services were suspended in some parts of the city while additional forces were deployed across Srinagar.

Image courtesy of (Photo courtesy: aaktak.in)

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