The National Investigation Agency on Monday raided the Srinagar residence of separatist leader and Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi, The Hindu has reported.
As per an NIA official, the team had arrived at her 90-Feet road residence early morning. The report though claims that they failed to search the house or seize any material as there was no male individual present inside at their time of arrival.
A Tribune report quoted NIA officials as denying any sort of a raid taking place and instead claimed that they paid a visit to “verify certain facts which cropped up during their investigation” against her. An official has been quoted as saying that hoisting of a Pakistani flag had cropped up while they were investigating the matter, and the team, as a result, paid a visit to verify certain facts.
Incidentally as reported in March, Andrabi had hoisted the Pakistani flag at an undisclosed location and reportedly claimed that all Muslims in the Indian subcontinent were Pakistanis by default. Though it isn’t clear whether this is the incident referred to by the NIA official.
Such a “raid” at her residence comes after an FIR was filed against her on 27 April where she was charged with sedition, criminal conspiracy, waging war against the country, inciting riots and promoting enmity between communities. The remand application of the NIA reportedly also accused Andrabi’s organisation of being in touch with Pakistani associates, including terrorists.
The FIR also stated that they had extensively campaigned against India and published numerous materials that resulted in hatred and contempt towards the country. It also alleged that Asiya Andrabi and her associates were running a terrorist organisation Dukhtaran-e-Milat, with the support of Pakistan.
She and two of her associates namely Sofi Fehmeeda and Naheeda Nasreen were sent to a 10 day NIA custody following which they have been sentenced to a 30-day judicial custody at the Tihar Jail.
