NIA urges Delhi court to award life sentence to Asiya Andrabi, two associates
New Delhi: India continues to employ its agencies and draconian laws to stifle dissent in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, as the National Investigation Agency has sought life imprisonment for prominent woman Kashmiri leader and Dukhtaran-e-Millat chairperson Aasiya Andrabi in a case widely viewed as part of New Delhi’s broader crackdown on pro-freedom voices.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the NIA urged a Delhi court to award life imprisonment to Aasiya Andrabi and her two associates, Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen, who were convicted earlier in January under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The agency argued before Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh that the accused had “waged a war against India” and that a harsh punishment was necessary to send a strong message against dissent.
The prosecution claimed that the three Kashmiir women used social media posts and public gatherings to challenge the authority of the Indian state and advocate for the right to self-determination in Jammu and Kashmir. It further alleged that their organisation, Dukhtaran-e-Millat, was used to mobilise support for Kashmir’s freedom from India.
Legal observers and human rights advocates, however, say the case reflects India’s increasing reliance on sweeping draconian laws such as the UAPA to criminalize political expression and silence Kashmiri voices demanding fundamental rights and self-determination. During the hearing, the defence counsel rejected the prosecution’s allegations, arguing that the agency had failed to present evidence linking the speeches or social media posts of the detained women to any act of violence.
Despite the absence of such evidence, the NIA insisted that the statements and activities of the accused could “radicalize youth” and therefore warranted the harshest possible punishment. The agency also requested that the court impose consecutive sentences under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and UAPA.
Asiya Andrabi, who has long been a vocal advocate of Kashmir’s right to self-determination, along with her associates Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen, attended the court proceedings through video link from prison. The court, after hearing arguments from both sides, reserved its decision on the quantum of sentence and scheduled the matter for March 24.
