Ordered by the Supreme Court, Yasin Malik is to appear virtually before the Jammu court on March 7. Malik is serving a sentence in Tihar Jail in Delhi on serious charges.
The Jammu case is from the 1990s concerning allegations of murder of four Indian Air Force officers. A plea was filed for his physical appearance in the court; however, the Supreme Court has decided that he would appear virtually due to security concerns.
The government prosecutors claimed Malik’s appearance in court would pose security risks. The court is of the view that far from hampering the legal process, his virtual presence was the way to go as this will ensure smooth conduct of the trial.
In 2022, Yasin Malik was convicted on terrorism charges and was sentenced to life imprisonment. He, the leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), has long been on a campaign demanding independence for Kashmir.
This should make trial proceedings easier to execute. Security arrangements are being put in place, and preparations are underway to ensure that a virtual hearing will take place without a hitch.
