India
‘Even Ajmal Kasab got a fair trial’: Supreme Court while hearing Yasin Malik case | India News – Times of India
“How will the cross-examination take place online? There is hardly any connectivity in Jammu… In our country, even Ajmal Kasab was given a fair trial and legal aid was given to him in the Supreme Court,” news agency PTI reported. stating the bank.
According to a PTI report, the court hinted at the possibility of holding Malik’s trial in Tihar jail for the 1989 kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of politician Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. This followed a CBI plea against a court order in Jammu that required the physical presence of Malik for cross-examination of prosecution witnesses.
During the hearing, Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih questioned the feasibility of virtual cross-examination given the poor internet connectivity in Jammu. The court directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the CBI, to provide details of the witnesses involved.
Mehta referred to a photo of Malik standing next to terrorist Hafiz Saeed to underline his alleged links to militancy. He suggested that the trial should be conducted in Tihar jail with the judge traveling to Delhi if necessary.
The Supreme Court agreed to consider this option, but said it must hear from all suspects before issuing an order. It adjourned the case to November 28 and directed the CBI to amend its petition and include all co-accused as respondents.
Concerns about Malik’s safety arose earlier in 2023 when he was unexpectedly brought before the Supreme Court without explicit permission. Describing it as a serious mistake, Mehta pointed to procedural safeguards under Section 268 of the CrPC that allow authorities to restrict the movement of high-risk prisoners.
Malik, a former leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, is also serving a life sentence case of terrorist financing. He was convicted by an NIA court in May 2023.
