A special court in the national capital has taken a strong stand in a major Kashmir-related terror case by sentencing separatist leader Asiya Andrabi to life imprisonment under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court also convicted her two associates, Nahida Nasreen and Fahmeeda Sofi, awarding them 30 years of imprisonment each.
Andrabi, who headed the banned organisation Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DEM), was arrested in 2018 following an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). According to the agency, she and her associates were involved in spreading provocative and anti-India content through public platforms and online channels.
The investigation revealed that the trio attempted to influence Kashmiri youth by promoting anti-national narratives and encouraging support for separatist ideologies. Authorities also stated that their online activities allegedly sought to amplify support for Pakistan-linked elements and extremist groups, posing a serious threat to India’s sovereignty and security.
In its judgment, the court observed that even if the accused did not directly incite violence, the dissemination of such ideas could fuel unrest and create an environment conducive to violence. The court further noted that being educated individuals did not mitigate their actions, but rather indicated that they were fully aware of the consequences of their activities.
The verdict is being seen as a strong message in cases related to national security, underlining the government’s zero-tolerance approach toward activities considered a threat to the country’s unity and stability.
