JKLF chief Yasin Malik has denied involvement in the killing of Sarla Bhat, claiming that he learned of the murder of the Kashmiri Pandit nurse only in February 1991—months after her death in April 1990. This statement comes over two months after the State Investigation Agency (SIA) filed a 737-page chargesheet in a special NIA court in Srinagar, naming Malik as a key accused in Bhat’s abduction and killing.
Context
With regard to the SIA's assertion in its chargesheet that Bhat was killed on the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front’s (JKLF) assumption that she was passing along information to the security forces, Malik stated in an affidavit recently filed before the Additional Sessions Judge (TADA/POTA) Court in Srinagar:
“"The very framing of this question is deeply offensive to the memory of the deceased."
He elaborated, stating, "Despite the mass migration of Kashmiri Pandits that commenced on 19 January 1990, Ms. Sarla Bhat and her family chose to remain in the Valley alongside their Kashmiri Muslim neighbours despite the prevailing uncertainty and danger."
Malik described the SIA's claims as unjust and insensitive, asserting that there is no credible evidence to support such allegations.
Developments
In June, officers of the SIA visited Malik in Tihar jail, where he has been incarcerated since 2019, and questioned him regarding his alleged involvement in Bhat’s murder. In his 25-page affidavit, Malik recounted that on the day of Bhat's murder in April 1990, he, along with Showkat Bakshi, Javed Zargar, and Iqbal Gandroo, reached a house at Hafiz Bazaz. He stated:
