Yasin Malik’s Stance on Sarla Bhat’s Murder
Yasin Malik, the incarcerated leader of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), has submitted an affidavit to a court in Jammu and Kashmir vehemently denying any involvement in the 1990 murder of Sarla Bhat, a nurse and Kashmiri Pandit. In a surprising turn, Malik has chosen not to challenge the ongoing trial proceedings. Instead, he has requested the court to impose capital punishment on him, maintaining that he is innocent and unjustly accused in the more than three-decade-old case.
Malik’s Claims of False Implication
In his affidavit, Malik criticized the prosecution’s case, likening it to a fictional narrative constructed over decades to falsely implicate him. He contends that the case lacks substantial support from the original records or actions of the investigating authorities at the time of the murder. “The prosecution’s present narrative resembles a fictional story rather than a genuine criminal investigation,” Malik stated, highlighting the lack of evidence against him from the period of the incident.
Details of Sarla Bhat’s Death
Sarla Bhat, 27, was working as a nurse at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar when she was abducted on April 18, 1990, while returning from her duties. Allegedly tortured and assaulted, she was shot with an automatic weapon, and her body was found the next day. A note discovered with her body claimed responsibility on behalf of the JKLF, branding her an informer. This murder is alleged to be part of a larger JKLF campaign against Kashmiri Pandits.
Reinvestigation and Chargesheet
The case, unresolved for years, was reassigned to the Jammu & Kashmir State Investigation Agency (SIA) for further investigation in March 2024. On June 29, 2026, the SIA filed a 737-page chargesheet, accusing Malik and four other JKLF members of orchestrating the abduction and murder. Malik is described as a key figure behind the crime.
Malik’s Defense and Character Reference
Responding to the charges, Malik argued that the prosecution’s theory is inconsistent with his character and previous conduct. He referenced a past incident from 1996-97 involving a journalist, where despite feeling wronged, he took no retaliatory action against her, asserting this as evidence of his non-violent nature. “The prosecution’s theory becomes even more untenable when viewed alongside the undisputed historical record,” Malik stated, asserting that during April 1990, he was incapacitated due to severe injuries and medical treatment, making the allegation of his involvement implausible.
