By Urdu Report Editorial Team
Kashmiri Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik, who is currently imprisoned in India, has refused to pursue or defend all cases registered against him, expressing a lack of confidence in the Indian judicial system.
Malik submitted a detailed 25-page affidavit to a court in Srinagar. The court has formally made the affidavit part of the evidence along with his written statements submitted on August 24.
Response to Trial and Death Penalty
In his affidavit, Malik claimed that the Indian government had completed a conspiracy to implicate him in what he described as a fabricated case dating back 36 years and to have him sentenced to death.
He said he no longer expected justice from Indian courts. However, he stated that even if the court sentenced him to death, he would accept the punishment willingly for the cause of the Kashmir freedom movement.
Malik made clear that accepting a judicial sentence would not mean accepting the allegations brought against him, which he described as fabricated.
Strong Denial of Involvement in Sarla Bhat Case
The Hurriyat leader categorically denied all allegations linking him to the 1990 murder case of Sarla Bhat.
Malik said he had been seriously injured 11 days before Bhat’s killing, making it impossible for him to plan or direct any such action, according to his affidavit.
He also claimed that during the tenure of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Indian officials including Ajit Doval, Brajesh Mishra and R.K. Mishra had personally asked him to play a role in improving India-Pakistan relations.
Malik alleged that Indian agencies later used those contacts with Pakistan as evidence against him.
Allegations of Political Use During Elections
Malik claimed that during India’s 2019 and 2024 general elections, the Modi government used his name, photograph and legal proceedings to build an anti-Pakistan political narrative and secure votes.
Message to His Wife and Daughter
In the affidavit, Malik expressed a desire to free his wife, Mushaal Malik, from what he described as the distressing life created by his prolonged imprisonment and the possibility of a death sentence.
He acknowledged Mushaal Malik’s courage and sacrifices and said he wanted to release her from his companionship.
He also instructed his daughter to take care of her grandmother and help ease her grief.
Malik said he had presented his conscience, the truth and his position before the court and had now entrusted his case to Allah Almighty.
Experts Call for International Attention
Meanwhile, political and international affairs experts said Malik’s trial was an unjust attempt by the Modi government to suppress what they described as an influential and credible Kashmiri voice.
According to the experts, the Indian state may temporarily silence the voices of Kashmiri freedom activists, but cannot eliminate the desire and ideology of freedom.
They called on the United Nations and the international community to increase pressure on India for the immediate release of Yasin Malik and other Kashmiri political prisoners.
