The State Investigation Agency (SIA) has filed a comprehensive 737-page chargesheet against separatist leader Yasin Malik and four others in connection with the 1990 murder of Kashmiri Pandit woman Sarla Bhat. The chargesheet, submitted before the designated TADA court in Jammu, details Malik’s alleged involvement along with co-accused in the targeted killing that shook the Valley during the peak of militancy.
Officials stated that the chargesheet includes witness testimonies, forensic evidence, and records of Malik’s activities linked to the crime. The SIA emphasized that the case represents a critical step in delivering justice to victims of terrorism and ensuring accountability for crimes committed during the insurgency era.
The accused have been charged under provisions of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, Ranbir Penal Code, and Arms Act. The filing marks a significant development in the decades-old case, which has long been a symbol of the plight of Kashmiri Pandits forced to flee the Valley in the 1990s.
The court is expected to take up the matter for hearing soon, with the SIA asserting that the exhaustive chargesheet will strengthen the prosecution’s case against Malik and his associates.
