New Delhi (India) March 24:On Tuesday, a Delhi court handed down a life sentence to Asiya Andrabi, the chief of the Kashmiri separatist group Dukhtaran-e-Millat , in a case tied to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Alongside her, two associates, Fehmeeda and Nasreen, received 30-year prison terms for their involvement in the same activities.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), operating under the direction of the Home Ministry, initiated legal action against Andrabi and her organization. All three were arrested in April 2018.

Key UAPA and IPC Charges

They were charged under several sections of the law, including IPC sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) and 121A (conspiracy to commit offences against the State).
Earlier this year, on January 14, Andrabi, Fehmeeda, and Nasreen were also convicted on charges related to being members of a terrorist organization and providing support to such groups. 

NIA's Probe Exposes Conspiracy

The NIA argued that Andrabi had effectively waged war against India and emphasized the need to convey a strong message that plots against the state would incur severe consequences.
The allegations against the trio suggested that they used social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, as well as television channels — including some based in Pakistan — to spread incendiary messages and incite hatred against India.
"The convicts are well-educated women, and their acts were part of a deep-rooted conspiracy to wage war against the Government of India. They were not just part of the conspiracy but were the main perpetrators," the agency said in its arguments.

Who is Asiya Andrabi and Dukhtaran-e-Millat?

Asiya Andrabi, a prominent Kashmiri separatist, is noted as the founding leader of Dukhtaran-e-Millat, which the Government of India has labeled a banned terrorist organization. This group is also associated with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, a coalition of separatist groups in Kashmir.
The activities attributed to Dukhtaran-e-Millat, as outlined in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967, include inciting violence and rebellion against the Indian government, allegedly with support from terrorist organizations based in Pakistan. 

Stern Warning to Anti-National Elements

This case is part of a broader effort by Indian authorities to crack down on separatist and militant networks in Kashmir . The sentences reflect the government's strong commitment to national security and the integrity of its territory, serving as a clear reminder of the legal consequences that come with actions deemed unlawful and disruptive to the nation's identity.