. NEW DELHI: NIA on Wednesday pressed for enhancement of jailed Kashmiri separatist Yasin Malik’s life sentence to a death penalty in a terrorist funding case, contending before Delhi HC that naming senior politicians and bureaucrats did not absolve him or dilute his links with terrorists such as Lashkar-e-Taiba cofounder Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, both based in Pakistan.In a rejoinder to Malik’s affidavit, NIA said the 60-year-old chief of J&K Liberation Front was “well connected with multiple terrorist organisations” and invoked names of politicians, media personnel, foreign delegates and bureaucrats to gain popularity and sympathy.NIA said the case rested on evidence, not hearsay or “emotional narration”, and cited material to claim Malik was in contact with Pakistani brass, including PM, president, senators and provincial CMs, to propagate anti-India narratives and further secessionist agenda in J&K. The agency argued that Malik could not “revisit” issues after his conviction, saying there had been ample opportunity to raise objections during trial.A bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja took the rejoinder on record and listed the appeal for July 21. The court said a copy would be supplied to Malik, who appeared virtually from Tihar jail.Malik earlier claimed he spent nearly three decades in a state-backed “backchannel”, working with successive PMs, intelligence chiefs and business figures to promote peace in J&K. His 85-page affidavit details his journey from school to militant links and alleged meetings with politicians.“The convict himself has admitted he was commander-in-chief of JKLF,” NIA said. It cited Malik’s own admissions of connections with Salahuddin and other terrorists.A Delhi trial court had awarded Malik life imprisonment on May 24, 2022, after convicting him under UAPA and IPC provisions.About the AuthorAbhinav GargAs legal editor for Delhi, Abhinav Garg handles coverage of courts and connected legal challenges shaping the capital. From breaking down complex law related jargon to simplifying how a particular verdict or development in courts may impact the readers, Abhinav brings with him over two decades of experience in the field.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMassive Poll Day: West Bengal Begins Voting, Tamil Nadu Sees Triangular Showdown“Trail Of Terror Revealed”: India EXPOSES Pak Over Terror Links At Washington EventArmy Chief’s Hawaii Visit Highlights Deepening India-US Military Strategy In Indo-PacificIndia Denies Crypto Scam Claims After Ship Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz TensionsFormer J&K DGP SP Vaid on Pahalgam Attack, Terrain and Security Challenges In Jammu And KashmirIndia Marks Pahalgam Anniversary With a Strong Message To Terror Outfits & Pak | WatchEC Issues Notice To Kharge Over “Terrorist” Remark On PM Modi After BJP Complaint‘Democracy Cannot Be Jeopardised’: SC Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged Interference In ED RaidIran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz, India-Bound Vessel Sparks Global ConcernINS Dhruv: The ship behind India’s missile tracking and strategic strength123PhotostoriesHow to get rid of cockroaches naturally: 10 Proven home remedies that work fastDelhi IRS officer’s daughter’s rape-murder: How accused exploited knowledge of family routine to strikeStomach pain or acidity? Signs your “GERD” could be something more serious, and what to do nextWorld Book Day 2026: 10 quotes by famous people on the joy of reading10 cute baby girl pet names that begin with letter A5 of the most beautiful fish in the world that don’t look realCoachella 2026: 5 bizarre influencer outfits that ruined the festival fashionHow to make South Indian Curd Rice for lunch at homeThe economy-class survival guide: How to be comfortable on a long-haul flightHow to deal with a child who answers back: 3 mindful parenting tips inspired by Sadhguru123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyBengal election dos and don’tsTamil Nadu pollsSIR ProtestTN election dos and don’tsBank Holidays AprilTop TrendingWest Bengal electionTamil Nadu electionSupreme CourtMalegaon Blast CaseMeerut Blue Drum Murder CaseBareilly Suicide NewsTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Murder NewsMiddle East ConflictIPL Orange Cap
NEW DELHI: NIA on Wednesday pressed for enhancement of jailed Kashmiri separatist Yasin Malik’s life sentence to a death penalty in a terrorist funding case, contending before Delhi HC that naming senior politicians and bureaucrats did not absolve him or dilute his links with terrorists such as Lashkar-e-Taiba cofounder Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, both based in Pakistan.In a rejoinder to Malik’s affidavit, NIA said the 60-year-old chief of J&K Liberation Front was “well connected with multiple terrorist organisations” and invoked names of politicians, media personnel, foreign delegates and bureaucrats to gain popularity and sympathy.NIA said the case rested on evidence, not hearsay or “emotional narration”, and cited material to claim Malik was in contact with Pakistani brass, including PM, president, senators and provincial CMs, to propagate anti-India narratives and further secessionist agenda in J&K. The agency argued that Malik could not “revisit” issues after his conviction, saying there had been ample opportunity to raise objections during trial.A bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja took the rejoinder on record and listed the appeal for July 21. The court said a copy would be supplied to Malik, who appeared virtually from Tihar jail.Malik earlier claimed he spent nearly three decades in a state-backed “backchannel”, working with successive PMs, intelligence chiefs and business figures to promote peace in J&K. His 85-page affidavit details his journey from school to militant links and alleged meetings with politicians.“The convict himself has admitted he was commander-in-chief of JKLF,” NIA said. It cited Malik’s own admissions of connections with Salahuddin and other terrorists.A Delhi trial court had awarded Malik life imprisonment on May 24, 2022, after convicting him under UAPA and IPC provisions.
