A Delhi court on Wednesday convicted Kashmiri separatist leader and Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for her involvement in terror-related activities and criminal conspiracy.
Additional Sessions Judge Chanderjit Singh held Andrabi guilty under Section 18 of the UAPA, which deals with punishment for conspiracy, and Section 38, relating to membership of a terrorist organisation. The court said the sentence will be pronounced on January 17.
The case was investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which accused Andrabi of waging war against India through hate speeches, criminal conspiracy, and activities linked to banned outfits. Two of her associates were also named and convicted in the case.
According to the prosecution, Andrabi and her associates mobilised support for separatist causes and maintained links with proscribed organisations, acts that attracted provisions of the anti-terror law. After examining the evidence on record, the court upheld the charges and ordered her conviction.
Asiya Andrabi founded the all-women separatist organisation Dukhtaran-e-Millat in 1987. She was arrested in April 2018 during a major crackdown on separatist networks in Jammu and Kashmir, following which her organisation was banned under the UAPA.
The conviction comes after a prolonged trial in which the NIA argued that Andrabi played a significant role in promoting secessionist ideology and sustaining terror-linked activities through speeches, meetings, and organisational work. The court will hear arguments on sentencing later this week before announcing the punishment.
