Srinagar, Mar 26 — Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday called for a review of the life sentence awarded to Kashmiri separatist leader Asiya Andrabi, urging the Government of India to reconsider the punishment on humanitarian grounds.
Addressing reporters, Mufti said Andrabi had already spent several years in jail and deserved reconsideration despite ideological differences. “I appeal that it (sentence) should be reconsidered. The Government of India has already released many people on parole. She should also be released on parole, even if it is conditional, and her conviction should be reviewed on humanitarian grounds,” she said.
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Mufti also questioned the interpretation of life imprisonment, stating, “Life imprisonment till death should be abolished across the country. It should mean what it used to—around 14 years.”
A Delhi court on Tuesday sentenced Andrabi to life imprisonment in a case related to conspiracy, waging war against India, and membership of a banned organisation. Her associates, Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen, were awarded 30-year jail terms.
The court held that the accused were involved in activities aimed at furthering secessionist objectives and undermining national integration. It noted that while there was no direct evidence of their involvement in violence, the material on record showed they did not “abhor violence” and had “indirectly promoted” it.
Separately, Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed concern over the sentencing, calling it severe. “Given the years already spent in detention, the sentence stands out for its severity and harshness. We hope that in line with democratic principles, and on humanitarian grounds their case be reviewed with sensitivity and compassion, especially considering Asiya ji’s age and health and they be released,” he said in a post on X.