Supreme Court Gives Accused Two Weeks to Respond in High-Profile Terror Cases

The Supreme Court has granted six accused individuals two weeks to reply to a CBI plea seeking to transfer two terror cases from Jammu to New Delhi, involving banned JKLF chief Yasin Malik. These cases relate to the 1989 abduction of Rubaiya Sayeed and the 1990 killings of four Indian Air Force personnel.

The Supreme Court has mandated a two-week deadline for six accused individuals to respond to a CBI plea aiming to transfer two terror cases from Jammu to New Delhi, where JKLF chief Yasin Malik is also a defendant. Justices Abhay S Oka and Manmohan noted the lack of responses from the accused and urged prompt replies.

The cases involve the 1990 killing of four Indian Air Force men in Srinagar, and the 1989 abduction of Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of then home minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. While Malik has responded, six out of the remaining 10 accused have not.

With one accused, Mohammed Rafiq Pahloo, deceased and the case against him abated, the ongoing trial requires thorough hearing for all involved. The CBI emphasizes Malik's security risk, arguing against his physical presence in Jammu court for cross-examinations, suggesting video-conferencing from Tihar jail instead.

(With inputs from agencies.)