New Delhi, April 22, KNT: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has pressed for enhancement of sentence against Yasin Malik before the Delhi High Court, arguing that his contacts with Pakistan’s top leadership were used to advance a secessionist agenda in Jammu and Kashmir.
The submission came as part of the agency’s plea seeking the death penalty for Malik, who is currently serving a life sentence.
In its rejoinder affidavit, the NIA told the court that Malik’s outreach to Pakistan’s Prime Minister, President, and other senior figures was not incidental but part of a broader effort to promote narratives against India.
The agency rejected Malik’s defense that he had been engaged by successive Indian governments on the Kashmir issue, stating that such interactions have “no bearing” on the charges against him.
It further argued that references made by Malik to senior Indian politicians, bureaucrats, media figures, and foreign delegates were intended to “gain popularity and draw public sympathy,” rather than constitute a legal defense.
The NIA also pointed to Malik’s own admission of being the Commander-in-Chief of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), and alleged links with figures such as Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin, to underline the seriousness of the case.
The court was informed that these aspects reinforce the agency’s case for a harsher sentence.
During the hearing, Malik told the bench that he had not received a copy of the NIA’s rejoinder affidavit, following which the court adjourned the matter.
A division bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja has now listed the case for further arguments in July.
Special Public Prosecutor Akshai Malik, along with advocate Khawar Saleem, appeared for the NIA, while Malik argued the case in person.
The case centers on the NIA’s plea for enhancement of punishment, setting up a legal contest over whether the existing life sentence should be increased. [KNT]
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