Legal

Yasin Malik among 5 accused named in SIA chargesheet in Sarla Bhat's killing in 1990

The State Investigation Agency (SIA), Kashmir, has filed a 737-page chargesheet before the Court of the Additional Sessions Judge designated under the NIA Act in Srinagar in connection with the abduction, torture and brutal killing of Sarla Bhat, a staff nurse at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS). Bhat was murdered by Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) terrorists on April 18, 1990. According to the SIA, the investigation has established the involvement of Mohammad Yaseen Malik, then Chief Commander of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), along with Khurshid Ahmad Chalkoo, Abdul Hamid Sheikh, Mohammad Yousuf Sofi alias Idrees and Ghulam Mohammad Taploo in planning and executing the abduction and killing. The agency further stated that while Abdul Hamid Sheikh, Mohammad Yousuf Sofi alias Idrees and Ghulam Mohammad Taploo have since died, Yaseen Malik is currently lodged in judicial custody in another case. "The investigation has revealed the involvement of Mohammad Yaseen Malik, then Chief Commander of JKLF, along with Khurshid Ahmad Chalkoo, Abdul Hamid Sheikh, Mohammad Yousuf Sofi alias Idrees and Ghulam Mohammad Taploo in planning and executing the abduction and brutal killing," the SIA said. The agency said legal proceedings, including proclamation proceedings, have been initiated against absconding accused Khurshid Ahmad Chalkoo, who allegedly pulled the trigger and is believed to have exfiltrated to Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The SIA said further legal proceedings in the case will continue in accordance with the law.