SRINAGAR: India’s top anti-terrorism investigation agency on Friday again sought the death sentence for Yasin Malik, chief of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), after he was given life in prison, official sources said.

The JKLF leader had pleaded guilty last year to funding the separatist movement after refusing to accept a government-appointed lawyer or to defend himself against the charges.

The court turned down a plea by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a death sentence, saying capital punishment was for a crime that “shocks the collective consciousness” of society.

The NIA petitioned the High Court again on Friday seeking death sentence for Malik, a senior official in Srinagar said. The petition is due for hearing on Monday.

JKLF spearheaded armed resistance in India-held Kashmir in 1989. India responded with a military campaign, leaving tens of thousands of civilians and troops dead.

Malik gave up armed resistance in 1994 to campaign peacefully for independence, meeting Indian leaders over the following years.

He was jailed, spending 14 years in prison where he said he was tortured. He was finally arrested in 2018, months before New Delhi cancelled the held state’s special status on Aug 5, 2019.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

Race against time
Updated 09 Feb, 2025

Race against time

While some bright spots emerged at Breathe Pakistan moot, we must streamline our climate governance.
Open door
09 Feb, 2025

Open door

THE door is still open for talks, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has reminded the PTI. What matters, however,...
Football suspension
09 Feb, 2025

Football suspension

ONCE again, Pakistan has been ousted from the global football family. FIFA recently suspended the Pakistan Football...
A year later
Updated 08 Feb, 2025

A year later

A war of egos has been fought between a handful of individuals at the cost of the well-being of millions of ordinary Pakistanis.
Wheat decision
08 Feb, 2025

Wheat decision

THE federal decision to stop setting the minimum support price for wheat and cease the staple’s procurement...
Dhanmondi attack
08 Feb, 2025

Dhanmondi attack

HISTORY has shown that unless states deliver development and equal rights to all, disenfranchised people can target...