New Delhi, October 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought a report from the Tihar Jail Superintendent regarding the non-appearance of Kashmiri separatist leader and banned Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik during virtual proceedings in the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) appeal seeking the death penalty for him in a terror-funding case.
A Division Bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Arun Bhardwaj directed the concerned jail superintendent to explain Malik’s absence and ensure that he joins the proceedings virtually on the next date of hearing.
Noting that Malik had not appeared through video conferencing from Tihar Jail, the High Court said, “Let a report in this regard be called from the concerned jail superintendent. On the next date, the respondent (Yasin Malik) shall be made to join the proceedings virtually.”
The Bench listed the matter for further hearing in December.
The NIA has challenged a 2022 trial court judgment sentencing Malik to life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
In its appeal, the anti-terror agency has sought enhancement of his sentence to the death penalty, arguing that a terrorist should not be awarded a life term merely because he has pleaded guilty and opted not to face trial.
The NIA has contended that imposing a lesser sentence on this ground would undermine sentencing policy and create a means for terrorists to avoid capital punishment by pleading guilty.
While rejecting the NIA’s plea for the death penalty, the trial court had observed that the crimes committed by Malik struck at the “heart of the idea of India” and were intended to forcefully secede Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India.
In recent proceedings, the NIA told the Delhi High Court that Malik was well-connected with multiple terrorist organisations and supporters of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
The agency argued that merely mentioning the names of senior politicians and bureaucrats did not negate Malik’s alleged links with LeT chief Hafiz Saeed and other militants.
Malik has chosen to represent himself rather than appoint a lawyer. He has been appearing virtually from Tihar Jail following an August 2024 court order barring his physical presence due to security concerns.
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