New Delhi, March 24,: A Delhi court on Tuesday sentenced Kashmiri separatist leader Asiya Andrabi to life imprisonment, while awarding 30-year jail terms to her associates Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen 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 Indian Penal Code, including charges related to conspiracy to commit terrorist acts and waging war against the state.
The ruling marks a significant development in a case investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which had sought stringent punishment citing the gravity of the offences.
According to the prosecution, Andrabi was involved in activities aimed at promoting secession of Jammu and Kashmir from India and was a member of a militant organization.
The NIA argued in court that Andrabi had effectively “waged war” against India and pressed for life imprisonment, stating that strict punishment was necessary to deter similar activities.
The court accepted the prosecution’s arguments and awarded life imprisonment to Andrabi, while sentencing Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen to 30 years in prison each.
Asiya Andrabi is the founder of Dukhtaran-e-Millat, an all-women separatist organization established in 1987, which has been under scrutiny by security agencies for its alleged role in separatist activities.
She was arrested in April 2018 and has been in custody since then.
Officials said the case involved multiple charges, including supporting banned organizations and engaging in activities considered detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India. [KNT]
