Kashmiri separatist Andrabi, 2 aides convicted in terror case
Was arrested on sedition charge in 2018; sentencing on January 17
Bringing an end to years of trial in a high-profile terror case, a Delhi court on Wednesday held Kashmiri separatist leader and Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi and two of her associates guilty under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The court concluded that the prosecution had proved their involvement in a conspiracy linked to terrorist activities targeting the sovereignty and integrity of India.
Additional Sessions Judge Chanderjit Singh convicted the three accused under the UAPA’s Section 18, which deals with conspiracy to commit a terrorist act, and Section 38, which pertains to membership of a terrorist organisation. The court will decide the quantum of sentence on January 17.
The case was investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which had accused Andrabi of waging war against the country through a sustained campaign of hate speeches, radical propaganda and online mobilisation. The agency alleged that these activities were aimed at inciting unrest and strengthening separatist sentiment in Jammu and Kashmir with support from across the border.
Andrabi, who founded the all-women separatist outfit Dukhtaran-e-Millat in 1987, was arrested in April 2018. The organisation was subsequently banned by the Centre after security agencies flagged its alleged involvement in extremist activities and its links with terrorist networks. According to investigators, the group operated as a platform to radicalise youth and mobilise support for anti-India causes.
In February 2021, the trial court had framed charges against Andrabi and her associates under both the Indian Penal Code and the UAPA. These included offences related to criminal conspiracy, waging war against the Government of India, sedition, promoting enmity between different groups and statements leading to public mischief, in addition to multiple terror-related provisions under the UAPA.
The NIA maintained that the accused were part of a coordinated plan to destabilise the country by exploiting cyberspace to spread extremist content and to seek backing from the Pakistani establishment. The agency claimed that efforts were made to arrange support from terrorist entities operating out of Pakistan as part of this broader conspiracy.
During the course of the proceedings, the court had, in September last year, declined the NIA’s request to place additional material on record through a supplementary chargesheet after final arguments had concluded, emphasising the need to adhere to procedural discipline.
