Supreme Court Directs Yasin Malik’s Virtual Court Appearance Amid Trial Transfer Plea

The Supreme Court called for JKLF chief Yasin Malik to attend a Jammu court session via video-conferencing amid a CBI plea to transfer his trial cases to New Delhi. Malik, sentenced for terror-funding, faces charges from the 1989 abduction of Rubaiya Sayeed and the 1990 Srinagar shootout.

The Supreme Court has ordered JKLF chief Yasin Malik to attend a court session in Jammu through video-conferencing from Tihar Jail on March 27. The directive comes as the CBI pushes for the trial's transfer from Jammu to New Delhi.

The court's bench, consisting of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, noted that the Jammu sessions court is sufficiently equipped for virtual hearings. The move seeks to facilitate proceedings in the 1989 abduction of Rubaiya Sayeed and the 1990 Srinagar shootout cases.

According to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the video-conferencing system in the Jammu court is functioning correctly. Additionally, the solicitor highlighted attempts by the accused, including Malik, to delay proceedings. The court insists on proper arrangements for video appearances as Malik, found guilty in a terror-funding case, poses a national security risk if moved physically from Tihar Jail.