Srinagar, October 19 (KNS): Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik, who is undergoing a life sentence in Delhi’s Tihar prison in a terror funding case today appeared virtually in a special court in Jammu.
The court on September 20 had issued Malik’s production warrants to the jail authorities after he sought to cross-examine physically the prosecution witnesses in two cases related to the killing of four Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel and the abduction of Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of then Union home minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, in 1989.
Cited directions from the Union home ministry Tihar prison authorities told the court that Malik cannot be produced before it in person. The court will hear the matter related to IAF personnel on November 23.
Senior advocate SK Bhat, who appeared on behalf of the prosecution, said the Tihar jail superintendent informed the court that Malik’s travel to Jammu was not possible.
Tahir superintendent had informed that an appeal related to Malik’s sentence in the terror funding case is pending before the high court and he has to remain lodged in Tihar jail.
"Malik was present virtually during the hearing. Now, he has to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses via virtual mode. Otherwise, his right to cross-examination will be closed,” prosecutor said.
The abduction case will be taken up on Thursday. “She [Rubaiya Sayeed] has been summoned. She may appear. Malik will be virtually present in that case also.” he added.(KNS)