New Delhi, August 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Delhi High Court on Monday sought the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) response to an appeal filed by Kashmiri separatist leader Asiya Andrabi challenging her life sentence in a terror conspiracy case.
A Division Bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Vikas Mahajan also issued notice to the NIA on appeals filed by Andrabi’s associates, Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen, who have challenged the 30-year prison terms awarded to them by the trial court.
The High Court also sought the anti-terror agency’s reply on the convicts’ applications seeking suspension of their sentences and posted the matter for hearing in October.
Earlier this year, a Delhi court sentenced Andrabi to life imprisonment after convicting her of offences including conspiracy to commit terrorist acts and waging war against the Government of India. Fehmeeda and Nasreen were each awarded 30-year jail terms.
While pronouncing the sentence, Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh of the Karkardooma Courts observed that the convicts’ actions struck at the “very existence of India” and were aimed at the secession of Jammu and Kashmir, which the court described as an integral part of the country.
The trial court had held that the evidence showed the convicts had indirectly promoted violence by glorifying slain militants and propagating secessionist ideology. It observed that such narratives could influence people, particularly the youth, and encourage unlawful and violent activities.
The case stemmed from an NIA investigation launched in 2018, alleging that the banned outfit Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DeM), headed by Andrabi, used social media, public speeches and other platforms to advocate the merger of Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan. The prosecution also alleged that the accused glorified militants, incited stone-pelting and promoted secessionist narratives.
Andrabi was convicted under multiple provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), including charges related to conspiracy for terrorist acts and membership of a terrorist organisation, besides offences under the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy and waging war against the state. Fehmeeda and Nasreen were also convicted under various provisions of the UAPA and the IPC.
Founded by Andrabi in 1987, Dukhtaran-e-Millat is a banned separatist organisation. Andrabi was arrested in April 2018, and the trial court had observed that the outfit had largely become defunct following her arrest.
FOLLOW NOW
