Yasin Malik Tells Srinagar Court He Has No Hope of Justice, Says Even Death Sentence Is Acceptable

SRINAGAR: Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik has told a Srinagar court that he no longer expects justice from the Indian judicial system and has decided not to contest his case further, saying that even a death sentence would be acceptable to him for the cause of Kashmir.

Malik submitted a 25-page affidavit before the court in which he outlined his position on the case and said he was leaving the final outcome to God.

He said his decision to stop pursuing the case was a protest against what he described as political persecution and injustice.

Yasin Malik Rejects Allegations in Sarla Bhatt Case

Malik firmly denied allegations linking him to the 1990 murder of Sarla Bhatt.

According to his affidavit, he was implicated in the case on the basis of an alleged JKLF note reportedly found near Bhatt’s body.

Malik questioned the later absence of the alleged note from the official record and raised concerns over the evidence used against him.

He also argued that he had suffered serious injuries 11 days before Sarla Bhatt’s killing, making it impossible for him, according to his statement, to plan or issue instructions for the murder.

Claims Indian Authorities Used Political Activities Against Him

Malik further stated that Indian agencies had previously encouraged him to develop contacts with Pakistan and play a positive role in improving relations between the two countries.

He said that during the government of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, officials including Ajit Doval, Brajesh Mishra and R.K. Mishra had encouraged him to contribute toward better Pakistan-India relations.

Malik said that the same contacts and political activities were later presented as evidence against him.

He also alleged that his name, photographs and legal proceedings were used for political messaging during the 2019 and 2024 elections, particularly in what he described as an anti-Pakistan political narrative.

“Punishment Does Not Mean Admission of Guilt”

Malik said he had placed his position and conscience before the court and would leave the final decision to God.

He stressed that accepting a possible judicial punishment should not be interpreted as accepting the crimes attributed to him.

He said his decision not to continue fighting the case was linked to what he described as political retaliation rather than an acceptance of the allegations.

Malik also referred to his prolonged imprisonment, isolation and years of separation from his mother, wife and daughter.

Emotional Message for Wife and Daughter

In the affidavit, Malik expressed a desire to free his wife, Mushaal Malik, from a life marked by prolonged imprisonment and uncertainty over a possible execution.

Addressing his wife, he expressed gratitude for her continued support and said he wanted to release her from the burden of waiting for him during his long imprisonment.

He also advised his daughter to remain in contact with her grandmother and help ease her grief.

Malik said he had presented his position and the voice of his conscience before the court and would leave the rest to God.

Political Analysts Criticise Trial

Political analysts described Malik’s continued imprisonment and trial as an attempt to silence a prominent Kashmiri voice through political and legal pressure.

They said that despite prolonged imprisonment and what they described as state pressure, Malik and other Kashmiri separatist leaders had remained committed to their political position.

The analysts argued that while the Indian state could restrict or silence individual voices, it could not eliminate the broader Kashmiri demand for self-determination.

They also called on the United Nations and the international community to play a greater role in securing the release of political prisoners and addressing concerns over human rights in Kashmir.