Rubaiya Saeed, daughter of ex CM of J&K Mufti Mohammad Saeed and sister of ex CM Mehbooba Mufti, has identified Yasin Malik and three others in her 1989 kidnapping case. Rubaiya Sayeed, who has remained secluded over the years, appeared in court in person, making a rare appearance.

 

Pertinent to mention here that on May 27, the Jammu TADA Court had summoned Rubaiya Sayeed in the case of her own kidnapping. Yasin Malik, who has already been imprisoned for life in a terror funding case, was also summoned around the same time.

 

"The statement of witness Rubaiya Sayeed was recorded in court on Friday. She has identified (Yasin Malik). While making her statement (before the court) she categorically stated that he is the one. She said he is the one and his name is Yasin Malik. 23rd August is the next date of hearing. She has identified 4 accused in total," informed Monica Kohli, CBI lawyer.

 

It also pertains to mention here that Rubaiya Sayeed was kidnapped near Srinagar’s Lal Ded Hospital on the evening of December 8 and held hostage till December 13, 1989. Her father was the Union home minister at the time in the VP Singh-led National Front government. She was released in exchange for five known terrorists of the JKLF, including Hamid Sheikh, Altaf Ahmed Bhat, Noor Mohd Kalwal, Javed Ahmed Zarger and Sher Khan.

 

Yasin Malik presently lodged in Tihar Jail and he was present in the court through videoconferencing. He was arrested in early 2019 in connection with the 2017 terror-funding case registered by the NIA and was sentenced to life imprisonment in May this year.