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Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front flag bearer and terror accused Yasin Malik pleaded guilty before the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court at New Delhi on May 10. The court is to hear further arguments on May 19. 

On the last date of hearing, the Delhi court had framed charges against Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and other Kashmiri separatist leaders, including Yasin Malik under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 (UAPA) in connection with Jammu & Kashmir terror funding and secessionist activities case.

According to the chargesheet, various terrorist organizations such as Lashkar-e-Toiba(LeT), Hizb-ul-Mujahiddin (HM), Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Jaish-e- Mohd. (JeM), had perpetrated violence in Kashmir against civilians and security forces, with the support of the ISI. 

It was also alleged that funds for the operation were collected, domestically and abroad, through various illegal channels including hawala for funding separatist and terrorist activities in J&K. The accused had entered into a larger conspiracy for causing disruption in Kashmir by stone pelting, burning schools and buildings, damage to public property and waging war against India. 

Accordingly, the Ministry of Home Affairs vide order dated May 30, 2017 had directed the NIA to register a case, which was registered under Sections 120B, 121, 121A of the Indian Penal Code,1860 and Sections 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 38, 39 and 40 of UAPA, 1967.

Considering the material on record, the Court was of the prima facie view that the statements of witnesses and documentary evidence had connected the accused persons with each other to a common object of secession. 

Case Title: NIA v. Hafiz Muhammad Saeed & Ors.