JKLF Chief Yasin Malik was convicted by a NIA court on Thursday in a terror funding case. Interestingly, Malik pleaded guilty to all the charges leveled against him by the country’s premier investigating agency. Even the Judge who heard the case had asked Malik whether he wants to rethink his plea. Malik stated that he has taken a conscious decision. He was accordingly convicted for criminal conspiracy and waging war against the state.
There are many criminal cases registered against Malik in various courts of law. The nature and seriousness of charges leveled against him could lead to his conviction in other cases too. That seems to be precisely the reason why he pleaded guilty. Malik knew that in one or the other case, he is going to be convicted.
Malik is fully aware of the consequences, and wants to project himself as a hero before people by pleading guilty. Those who know Malik closely had told me long ago that he would plead guilty rather than fighting in futility for proving himself innocent. About six months ago, a senior political leader and a close friend of Malik told me that Malik would never plead innocence because he knows the nature of charges he faces and the consequences thereof.
The NIA court may decide the quantum of punishment in next hearing possibly.
