Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 24: In a major verdict in a terror funding and conspiracy case, a Delhi court on Tuesday sentenced Kashmiri separatist leader Asiya Andrabi to life imprisonment, while awarding 30-year jail terms to her associates Nahida Nasreen and Sofi Fehmeeda.
The case was investigated by the National Investigation Agency.
Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh pronounced the sentence, holding 65-year-old Andrabi guilty under multiple provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The court also imposed fines amounting to several lakhs.
Andrabi, who has been lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail since 2018, was awarded life imprisonment under Section 18 of UAPA for conspiracy, along with a fine of ₹5 lakh under Section 120B IPC. She was further sentenced to 10 years each under Sections 38 and 39 of UAPA, and five years each under Sections 153A and 505 IPC. Additionally, the court awarded her life imprisonment under Section 121A IPC, along with fines and default sentences.
Co-accused Fehmeeda (39) and Nasreen (61) were each sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment under Section 18 of UAPA and Section 120B IPC, along with fines of ₹5 lakh. They were also awarded 10 years each under Sections 38 and 39 of UAPA, and four years each under Sections 153A, 153B, and 505 IPC.
Under Section 121A IPC, both were sentenced to 10 years in jail with fines. The court directed that all sentences would run concurrently and granted set-off for the period already spent in custody.
The sentencin The NIA sought life imprisonment for Asiya Andrabi, asserting that her actions amounted to waging war against India and warranted the harshest punishment. The agency submitted that the accused were not merely participants but key conspirators in a larger design against the State.
During arguments on sentencing, the NIA sought life imprisonment for Andrabi, asserting that her actions amounted to waging war against India and warranted the harshest punishment. The agency submitted that the accused were not merely participants but key conspirators in a larger design against the State.
According to the prosecution, the trio were associated with the banned outfit Dukhtaran-e-Millat and were actively involved in propagating anti-India content through speeches, social media platforms, and public mobilisation.
The court observed that the organisation advocated secession of Jammu and Kashmir from India and its merger with Pakistan. It further noted that the accused used digital platforms and public addresses to incite unrest and promote communal disharmony.
Investigations also pointed to alleged links with foreign entities, including Pakistan-based elements, and the use of online networks to spread propaganda, indicating a wider cross-border conspiracy.
The defence, however, opposed the quantum of punishment, arguing that there was no direct evidence linking the accused to incitement of violence through their speeches or online activities.
Notably, Andrabi’s husband, Qasim Faktoo, is already serving a life sentence in a separate case related to the 1992 murder of Kashmiri Pandit human rights activist Hriday Nath Wanchoo. Faktoo has been lodged in Udhampur jail since 2018. |
