[BREAKING] "Will Appear In Person And Not Through A Lawyer": Yasin Malik Tells Delhi HC

Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik Today (August 9th) informed the Delhi High Court that he will argue in person and defend himself in the appeal moved by National Investigation Agency (NIA) seeking death penalty for him in a terror funding case. Malik was awarded a life sentence in the case by the trial court in May 2022. He had pleaded guilty in the case and did not contest the charges against him.

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[BREAKING] "Will Appear in Person and Not Through a Lawyer": Yasin Malik Tells Delhi HC | Court Allows 'PRO SE' Representation

NEW DELHI: On Friday, the Delhi High Court granted Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) terrorist Yasin Malik‘s request to represent himself in his ongoing case.

The bench, composed of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Girish Kathpalia, approved Malik’s plea and subsequently scheduled the next hearing for September 19, 2024, at 3 PM.

Previously, the court had mandated Malik’s appearance via video conferencing following an appeal by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is seeking the death penalty for Malik.

During the proceedings, the court noted that Malik

“was given the option to appoint any lawyer or amicus curiae. However, he refused both options.”

Consequently, the court set the next hearing date for September 19th at 3 PM.

Malik chose not to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court, opting instead to present his arguments through video conference. The case stems from a 2022 trial court ruling, which the NIA subsequently appealed, pushing for the death penalty.

On May 29, the court directed the Jail Superintendent of Tihar Jail to ensure Malik’s presence at the next hearing by issuing warrants for his production, insisting that he be physically brought before the court.

However, the Jail Superintendent of Tihar Jail petitioned the court to permit Malik’s appearance via video conferencing, citing his classification as a ‘very high-risk prisoner.’

Malik had previously been physically produced before the Supreme Court in connection with a kidnapping case against him. This prompted Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, to alert Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla about what he described as a ‘serious security lapse.’

On July 21, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta expressed his concerns in a letter to Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, regarding Yasin Malik’s physical appearance at the Supreme Court.

Mehta highlighted that this occurred despite an order under Section 268 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which prohibited Malik’s removal from jail premises.

Mehta warned that