New Delhi, March 24, 2026: A special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sentenced three operatives of the banned outfit Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DeM) in connection with a 2018 Kashmir secession conspiracy case.
The court awarded life imprisonment to Asiya Andrabi, founder and chairperson of DeM, while her associates Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen were sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment each. The court also imposed fines of ₹8 lakh on Andrabi and ₹7 lakh each on the two co-accused.
According to officials, the three women were arrested by the NIA in July 2018 after a suo motu case was registered earlier that year. In January 2026, a trial court in Delhi had convicted them under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code.
The court observed that the accused were actively involved in promoting the secession of Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India and in furthering the activities of the proscribed organisation.
Investigations revealed that the accused had used social media platforms, videos, and public statements to spread separatist ideology, incite unrest, and mobilise support for their cause. The NIA stated that substantial evidence, including digital records and witness testimonies, established their role in supporting and advancing the outfit’s agenda.
The agency further noted that their actions posed a threat to the sovereignty, integrity, and security of the nation.
