Delhi HC blast: Court frames charges against Malik

The court said there was prima facie evidence to frame charges against Malik under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Indian Penal Code and the Explosive Substance Act for the September 7, 2011 terror attack at the high court's reception in which 15 people were killed and 79 others were injured.

District Judge H S Sharma, who decided to commence the recording of evidence from October 15, had earlier dropped the stringent IPC charge of waging war against India against Malik.

The court has framed charges against Malik for offences punishable under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 440 (mischief committed after preparation made for causing death or hurt), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (causing hurt) and 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) of the IPC.

Earlier on September 4, the court had decided to frame charges against Malik in the case, probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Malik is presently in judicial custody.

The court had declined the NIA's plea to prosecute Malik under the stringent charge of waging war against India saying that merely because an e-mail referring to the release of Parliament attack case convict Afzal Guru was sent by the accused after the blast, it does not mean that an offence against the state was committed.

The NIA had moved the Delhi High Court on September 18 against the trial court's order to drop the charge of waging war against India. The high court has issued notice to Malik seeking his response by October 16 on the NIA's plea.