Yasin Malik sent to judicial custody till May 24 in alleged terror funding case

JKLF chief Yasin Malik, arrested in connection with alleged terror funding case was sent to judicial custody till May 24 by Delhi court on Wednesday. The court had earlier sent Malik to NIA custody. He was brought to New Delhi after a court in Kashmir granted his transit remand to the National Investigation Agency.

Additional Sessions Judge Rakesh Syal also sought reply from the defence counsel on a plea of Tihar jail authorities seeking to produce Malik through video conference due to security concerns.

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has reserved its judgment on a CBI plea for reopening three-decade-old cases in which Malik was an accused.

Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti sought immediate release of JKLF chief Yasin Malik. While speaking to media, Mufti said, ''Yasin Malik (Kashmiri Separatist) should be released immediately as he is really unwell. Also, other members of Jamaat-e-Islami should be released. Sadhvi Pragya on whom there are several serious accusations, has been set free.''

Malik is the allegedly accused in the killing of five Indian Air Force personnel in Srinagar on January 25, 1990 and the kidnapping of the daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Dr Rubiya Sayeed on December 8, 1989.

Malik was detained by the Jammu and Kashmir police from his residence in Srinagar on February 22 and was shifted to the Kothibagh police station. The detention came two days after the state administration said the security of 18 separatist, including Malik, would be withdrawn. The JKLF leader on Thursday termed the announcement a "lie".

While Malik said he had never received any protection from the state, hardline Hurriyat Conference termed the reports about the withdrawal of security of its chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani "ridiculous".