Delhi High Court seeks jail report after Yasin Malik misses virtual hearing

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the superintendent of Tihar prison to explain why JKLF chairman Yasin Malik was not present in a virtual hearing on a terror‑funding case. The judges, Navin Chawla and Arun Bhardwaj, noted that Malik was supposed to appear online but the appearance did not happen. Malik is serving a life sentence in the same case at Tihar jail. The court set the next date for December 9, ordering that Malik must join the proceedings virtually on that day. The hearing concerns a petition by the National Investigation Agency that seeks the death penalty, asking to upgrade Malik’s life term. Malik had earlier said he wanted to argue in person against the NIA’s request to raise his punishment. The high court first issued a notice to him on May 29, 2023 and asked him to appear at the next hearing. Prison officials later asked the court for permission to let him appear virtually, arguing that he is a “very high‑risk” inmate and moving him in person could disturb public order. The judges granted that request but now want a report on why the virtual appearance was missed. The matter will be revisited on December 9, when Malik is expected to attend online.

Context

Virtual hearings are being used in India to handle high‑security prisoners while avoiding crowd risks. The death‑penalty request highlights how terror‑funding cases are treated as serious national security matters.