New Delhi, March 24 — A Delhi court has sentenced Kashmiri separatist leader Asiya Andrabi, chief of the banned Dukhtaran-e-Millat outfit, to life imprisonment under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The verdict also handed 30-year prison terms to her close associates Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen, marking a significant judgment against separatist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The sentencing was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh of the Special NIA Court in New Delhi. Andrabi and her associates were convicted of criminal conspiracy, promoting secession, and waging war against the State under IPC Sections 120B and 121A, along with multiple provisions of the UAPA including Sections 18, 20, 38, and 39.
Asiya Andrabi, arrested in 2018, was accused of using online platforms to spread anti-India propaganda, mobilize support for secession, and establish links with foreign entities to destabilize the region. Her organization Dukhtaran-e-Millat, a radical women’s separatist group, was banned for its extremist activities and enforcement of strict social codes in Kashmir.
The court’s ruling is being seen as a landmark in India’s fight against separatist movements, reinforcing the judiciary’s strict stance on terror-linked organizations. The judgment underscores the seriousness with which the State views attempts to undermine national sovereignty and security.
For Jammu and Kashmir, the verdict carries deep regional resonance, as Andrabi was a prominent figure in separatist politics. The sentencing is expected to influence future cases involving extremist leaders and organizations, sending a strong message against secessionist agendas.
