New Delhi, Aug 9 : Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik informed the Delhi High Court on Friday that he wants to argue in person and defend himself on the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) plea seeking the death penalty for him in a terror funding case.

A bench comprising Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Girish Kathpalia gave an option to Malik to appoint any lawyer or amicus curiae of his choice. However, he refused both options and sought time to come to court personally and argue his case.

He said that no law-and-order situation occurred during his physical production in the trial court and there was no reason why the same could not be done in the high court

Malik was sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with a terror funding case.

He contended that he wished to present his case before the court himself.

The Court listed the case for September 19 at 3 PM.

Malik told the court that that he doesn’t want to go to the Supreme Court to get an order in this regard.

Yasin Malik was sentenced to life imprisonment by the trial court in 2022. However, the National Investigating Agency (NIA) filed an appeal seeking the death penalty for him.

A Coordinate bench in August 2023 passed an order directing the production of Malik through VC.

Malik appeared before the Delhi High Court and wished to argue his case himself.

The Court said that there is an order of the previous bench of the High Court which has directed his appearance through VC due to security reasons and if he wants to appear in person, he will have to challenge the order in the Supreme Court. Malik refused to do so.

Malik maintained that he will argue his case himself without any lawyer.

The court then listed the case for further hearing on September 19.

The bench said that the petition required “substantial hearing” from Malik’s side which was not possible virtually and granted him time to decide.

On the Court’s question, if he wants to file any reply or written submission with case laws to NIA’s plea for the death penalty, Malik said he will think about it and inform on the next date.

UNI