The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sought the death penalty on Wednesday for convicted Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik. Malik had previously pleaded guilty to all charges, including those under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, in a terror funding case.
The agency made the submission before special judge Praveen Singh, while the court-appointed amicus curiae sought life imprisonment as the minimum punishment in the case.Meanwhile, Malik informed the judge that he would leave the quantum of punishment up to the court.
The court reserved its order after hearing the arguments and is expected to issue it later in the day. On May 19, the court convicted Malik and directed NIA officials to assess his financial situation in order to determine the amount of fine likely to be imposed.
On May 10, Malik informed the court that he would not contest the charges brought against him, which included sections 16 (terrorist act), 17 (raising funds for terrorist act), 18 (conspiracy to commit terrorist act), and 20 (member of terrorist gang or organisation) of the UAPA, as well as sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 124-A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code.
