New Delhi, The Delhi High Court has scheduled February 14 to hear a plea by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA), which seeks the death penalty for Muhammad Yasin Malik, the Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, who is currently imprisoned in Tihar jail.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the High Court has instructed the Jail Superintendent to ensure Yasin Malik’s presence via video conferencing for the hearing. This decision follows a previous court directive in August, which ordered that Malik be produced through video conferencing rather than in person, citing the concerns related to his status as a “very high-risk prisoner” and the need to maintain public order and safety.

Malik was convicted on May 19, 2022, in a case related to alleged funding and pro-freedom activities. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs. 10 lakhs by NIA Judge Praveen Singh on May 25, 2022. In May, Malik chose not to defend the charges against him in the NIA court, citing perceived biases in the Indian judiciary. The NIA has since challenged the court’s order, advocating for an enhanced sentence.

The plea for the death penalty for Malik is seen in the context of broader political implications, with some speculating that the Indian government’s pursuit of this penalty in Malik’s case is aimed at influencing the 2024 general elections.

The upcoming hearing in the Delhi High Court is set to be a significant moment in this high-profile case, as it addresses complex issues of justice, security, and political dynamics.