New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has listed April 22 for hearing the National Investigation Agency appeal seeking the death penalty for Yasin Malik in a terror funding case. The court granted the agency four weeks to file its response to Malik’s reply. The appeal seeks enhancement of a life sentence awarded in 2022.
A Bench comprising Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja heard the matter. Malik appeared through video link from Tihar jail, where he is serving a life term. He objected to repeated hearing dates and said the delay caused personal distress. The Bench stated the matter involved sentence enhancement and found no urgency since a life sentence already stands.
The court described the four week period as a final opportunity for the agency to submit its rejoinder. Counsel for the agency said Malik filed a detailed reply with content unrelated to the case. The counsel also said the reply required vetting. The agency opposed claims of repeated adjournments and stated Malik took nearly a year to submit his reply. The counsel informed the court about a request for an in camera hearing.
A trial court convicted Malik under provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Indian Penal Code. The conviction related to terror funding offences. The agency filed its appeal in 2023 and argued a life term fails to match the gravity of the crimes. The plea stated absence of capital punishment in such cases weakens sentencing policy and ignores loss of life suffered by soldiers and civilians.
In his affidavit, Malik outlined his past engagements with political leaders and officials. He claimed such interactions formed part of past dialogue efforts. He said the present case ignored this history. The court will hear arguments on April 22.
