A special court in Delhi on Tuesday sentenced Kashmiri separatist leader Asiya Andrabi to life imprisonment in a case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. Her associates, Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen, were given 30 years in jail each.
The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh after the three were earlier found guilty in January for their alleged links with the banned organisation Dukhtaran-e-Millat.
Conviction Under UAPA and IPC
The court held the trio guilty under multiple sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, including charges related to conspiracy and association with an unlawful organisation. They were also convicted under provisions of the Indian Penal Code dealing with criminal conspiracy and acts against the state.
According to the prosecution, the accused were actively involved in promoting separatist ideas and mobilising support in Jammu and Kashmir. The agency argued that their actions posed a threat to the sovereignty and integrity of the country.
During the hearing, the prosecution pushed for maximum punishment. It said a strict sentence was necessary to send a strong message against activities that challenge national security.
Background of the Case
Dukhtaran-e-Millat was founded in 1987 and later banned by the central government in 2004. The organisation has been accused of supporting separatist activities and demanding the secession of Jammu and Kashmir from India.
Asiya Andrabi was arrested in 2018 by the National Investigation Agency and has been lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail since then. Her co-accused, Nahida Nasreen and Sofi Fehmeeda, were also arrested in connection with the same case.
Arguments and Court Observations
The prosecution claimed that the three were part of a wider network working to destabilise the region. It said their speeches, writings and activities were aimed at supporting separatist causes.
The defence, however, argued that there was no direct evidence linking the accused to any violent act. It also said that no witness had testified about any harm caused by them.
Despite these arguments, the court found the evidence sufficient to uphold the conviction and awarded strict punishment.
Next Steps
The defence is expected to challenge the verdict in the Delhi High Court. Legal proceedings are likely to continue in the coming weeks.
For now, the three women remain in custody, with the court’s decision marking a major development in a high-profile case related to Kashmir and separatist politics.
