Delhi Court Imposes Life Sentence on Asiya Andrabi for Anti-India Conspiracy
In a landmark ruling, a Delhi court has sentenced Asiya Andrabi, the founder of the banned women's separatist outfit Dukhtaran-E-Millat (DeM), to life imprisonment for conspiring against the State under stringent anti-terror laws. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday by Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh, who also handed down 30-year prison terms to Andrabi's associates, Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen. The court ordered that all sentences run concurrently, marking a significant development in cases involving national security.
Legal Framework and Charges
Andrabi was convicted under Section 18 (conspiracy) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 121A of the Indian Penal Code, which pertain to conspiracy to wage war against the government. Fehmeeda and Nasreen were sentenced to 30 years of simple imprisonment under Section 18 of the UAPA and Section 120B of the IPC. The court emphasized that the actions of the accused constituted a grave threat to India's sovereignty and integrity, going beyond mere dissent.
Conspiracy to Secede Kashmir
In a detailed 286-page order, the court found that Andrabi and her associates had "hatched a conspiracy for the secession of Kashmir from India." The judgment relied on evidence, including videos and social media posts submitted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which showed the accused repeatedly asserting that Kashmir belonged to "Pakistan and was under Indian occupation." The court noted that Andrabi, through speeches and interviews, openly sought Pakistan's support and propagated the narrative that Kashmir was never part of India.
The order stated, "Kashmir should be freed from Indian occupation so that it can become part of Pakistan. The material on record is rife with such speeches as well as various posts by all the accused, especially of accused 1 (Andrabi)." It further observed that the accused attempted to build a narrative portraying Kashmir as under "illegal Indian occupation," misusing historical contexts to support their secessionist agenda.
Role of Dukhtaran-e-Millat
The court highlighted that Dukhtaran-e-Millat, a group banned by the Government of India, was actively involved in activities aimed at secession under the "pretext of the right to self-determination." Listed as a banned organisation under the First Schedule of the UAPA, 1967, DeM was accused of engaging in anti-India activities, including inciting armed rebellion in Kashmir with support from Pakistan-based terrorist groups. The court linked the outfit to the separatist All Parties Hurriyat Conference in the Kashmir Valley, underscoring its role in destabilizing the region.
Connections with Pakistani Entities
According to interrogation reports accessed by The Times of India, Andrabi disclosed regular contact with former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his foreign policy adviser Sartaz Aziz. She also admitted to interactions with officials at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, former ISI chief Hamid Gul, and UN-designated global terrorists Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin. During meetings in 2014 with Pakistani diplomats, Andrabi allegedly expressed frustration that "Pakistan was taking Kashmir issue casually," and was informed that a Kashmir Committee in Pakistan was handling the matter.
The report further revealed that Andrabi remained in regular contact with Hafiz Saeed, urging him to "pressure Pakistan government" and maintaining communication around personal events such as the deaths of his wife and nephew. These connections were cited as evidence of her deep involvement in cross-border conspiracies against India.
Conviction and Sentencing Arguments
Andrabi and her associates were convicted earlier on January 14, with the NIA advocating for life imprisonment during sentencing. The agency argued that Andrabi had effectively waged war against India and that a strong message was necessary to deter such activities. The court concurred, concluding that the conspiracy posed a serious threat to national security and warranted the maximum penalty under the law.
This ruling underscores the judiciary's firm stance on terrorism and secessionist plots, reinforcing the legal framework designed to protect India's territorial integrity. The case has drawn significant attention due to its implications for Kashmir-related conflicts and anti-terror enforcement.
