CURRENT AFFAIRS | MARCH 25, 2026
Delhi Court Sentences Dukhtaran-e-Millat Chief to Life Imprisonment — Two Aides Get 30 Years
A Delhi court sentenced Kashmiri separatist Asiya Andrabi to life imprisonment in a terror case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Two of her aides were awarded imprisonment of 30 years. Andrabi chairs Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DEM), a women’s separatist outfit in Kashmir. She was arrested in 2018 for allegedly using social media to wage aggression against India. The case was investigated by the NIA.
Constitutional & Legal Framework
- UAPA, 1967: Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act — India’s primary anti-terror legislation.
- 2019 UAPA Amendment: Introduced the power to designate individuals (not just organizations) as terrorists.
- Article 19(1)(a): Freedom of speech and expression.
- Article 19(2): Reasonable restrictions on free speech on grounds including security of the State, sovereignty, and public order.
- NIA: National Investigation Agency — central counter-terrorism law enforcement agency.
UAPA: Key Features
Originally enacted in 1967, the UAPA has been amended multiple times, most significantly in 2019. The Act allows the government to ban organizations as “unlawful” or “terrorist,” and after the 2019 amendment, individuals can also be designated as terrorists. The Act provides for stringent bail conditions and extended periods of investigation, making it one of the most powerful tools in India’s counter-terrorism arsenal.
Free Speech vs National Security
The Andrabi case raises important questions about the boundary between free speech and national security. While Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech, Article 19(2) permits reasonable restrictions in the interests of sovereignty, integrity, and security of the State. Andrabi was specifically charged with using social media as a medium to wage aggression, highlighting the evolving nature of threats in the digital age.
CLAT Exam Angle
UAPA is a frequently tested topic. Know the distinction between sedition (S.124A IPC/BNS equivalent) and UAPA, the significance of the 2019 amendment (individual designation), Article 19(1)(a) vs 19(2), and the role of the NIA. The Yasin Malik life sentence serves as a precedent. Legal reasoning questions may present scenarios testing whether speech crosses into unlawful activity.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Accused | Asiya Andrabi |
| Sentence | Life imprisonment |
| Aides’ Sentence | 30 years |
| Organization | Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DEM) |
| Law Applied | UAPA (1967, amended 2019) |
| Investigating Agency | NIA |
| Arrested In | 2018 |
| Medium Used | Social media |
Mnemonic: UAPA-D
- U — Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (1967)
- A — Amendment 2019 (individual terrorist designation)
- P — Prosecution by NIA
- A — Andrabi sentenced to life
- D — DEM (Dukhtaran-e-Millat) outfit
Practice Quiz
Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
