New Delhi, Jan 14: A Delhi court on Wednesday convicted Kashmiri separatist leader and head of the women’s organisation Dukhtaran-e-Millat, Asiya Andrabi, in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Additional Sessions Judge Chanderjit Singh held Andrabi guilty under Section 18, which deals with criminal conspiracy, and Section 38, relating to membership of a terrorist organisation. The court said the sentence will be announced on January 17, after hearing arguments from both sides.
The case was investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which alleged that Andrabi was involved in activities aimed at promoting separatism and undermining the sovereignty of the country. The agency claimed that she delivered speeches, held meetings and carried out organisational work that amounted to offences under the anti-terror law.
According to the prosecution, Andrabi and two of her associates worked in coordination to mobilise support for banned separatist causes and maintained links with prohibited organisations. The NIA argued that these actions constituted criminal conspiracy and fell within the ambit of the UAPA.
After examining the evidence placed on record, the trial court accepted the prosecution’s arguments and recorded the conviction.
Asiya Andrabi founded Dukhtaran-e-Millat, an all-women separatist group, in 1987. She was taken into custody in April 2018 as part of a wider crackdown on separatist networks operating in Jammu and Kashmir. The organisation was later declared unlawful and banned under the UAPA.
The trial continued for several years, during which the prosecution maintained that Andrabi played a significant role in sustaining secessionist activities. The defence contested the allegations throughout the proceedings.
With the verdict now delivered, the court will consider submissions on the quantum of punishment before passing the final order later this week.
