The Delhi High Court has initiated proceedings to seek a response from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) concerning an appeal filed by Kashmiri separatist leader, Asiya Andrabi. Andrabi, who was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the Karkardooma Court, is challenging the trial court’s verdict related to her involvement in a terror case.
A Division Bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Vikas Mahajan has also called for replies from the NIA regarding appeals made by Andrabi’s associates, Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen. Both women were sentenced to 30 years in prison and are contesting their sentences. The bench has further requested the NIA to respond to the convicts’ petition seeking the suspension of their sentences. The court has scheduled the hearing for October.
Previously, on March 24, 2026, Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh handed down a life sentence to Andrabi. She was found guilty of conspiring to commit acts of terrorism, waging war against India, and being a member of a banned organization. Her associates, Fehmeeda and Nasreen, were sentenced for multiple offenses, including their roles as press secretary and general secretary, respectively, of the banned Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DeM), an all-women outfit.
Judge Singh highlighted that the activities of Andrabi and her associates posed a significant threat to India’s sovereignty, aiming to secede Kashmir from the nation. Although there was no direct evidence of them engaging in violence, the court noted that their actions indirectly promoted violence by glorifying slain terrorists. The court emphasized that their rhetoric could incite the Kashmiri youth with the notion that Kashmir is not part of India, potentially leading to violent actions.
The case against Andrabi and her associates originated from intelligence reports in 2018. These reports accused the DeM of utilizing social media and public speeches to promote Kashmir’s integration with Pakistan. The NIA presented various pieces of evidence, including videos and social media posts, that were said to glorify militants like Burhan Wani and incite anti-India sentiments.
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Judge Singh’s ruling stated that the accused advocated for Kashmir’s merger with Pakistan on religious grounds, referencing the two-nation theory. They contended that a Muslim-majority region should not remain part of India. The court concluded that Andrabi and her associates do not uphold the Indian Constitution, as their actions amount to seeking the secession of a vital part of the nation.
The convicts were found guilty under multiple sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), including Sections 18 (conspiracy for terrorist act), 20 (membership of a terrorist gang), and 38/39 (claiming membership in a terrorist organization to further its activities). Additionally, they were convicted under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) such as Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the government), 153A/153B (promoting enmity), and 505 (public mischief).
