New Delhi, Mar 24 (NVI): A Delhi court on Tuesday sentenced separatist leader Asiya Andrabi to life imprisonment, while her associates Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen were awarded 30-year jail terms each in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The sentence was pronounced by Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh after hearing arguments on the quantum of punishment following their conviction earlier this year.
The trio had been convicted on January 14, 2026, under various provisions of the UAPA and the IPC, including charges of conspiracy to commit terrorist acts and waging war against the state.
The case was investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which had sought stringent punishment citing the seriousness of the offences. The prosecution submitted that Andrabi was actively involved in promoting secessionist activities and was linked with a militant organisation.
During the proceedings, the NIA argued that Andrabi had effectively waged war against India and pressed for life imprisonment, stressing the need for deterrent punishment.
The court, concurring with the prosecution’s submissions, awarded life imprisonment to Andrabi, while sentencing Fehmeeda and Nasreen to 30 years in prison each.
Andrabi, founder of Dukhtaran-e-Millat, was arrested in April 2018 and has remained in custody since then. Officials said the case involved multiple charges, including support to banned organisations and activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India.—(NVI)
