New Delhi, Mar 25: India on Wednesday strongly rejected Pakistan’s comments on recent judicial proceedings involving a banned terror outfit, following a Delhi court verdict sentencing Kashmiri separatist leader Asiya Andrabi to life imprisonment under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Responding to media queries, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “We categorically reject the statement issued by Pakistan in support of a banned terrorist organization and its members. Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on matters internal to India or its judicial processes. However, one is not surprised that a country, which has long been sponsoring terrorism, has come up with such a statement condoning violence and killing of innocent people.”
He further added: “Instead of peddling lies and frivolous narratives, Pakistan should introspect on the grave and systematic human rights violations it continues to perpetrate.”
The response came after Pakistan criticised the verdict, calling it a “grave miscarriage of justice” and alleging suppression of rights in Jammu and Kashmir. On Tuesday, a Delhi court sentenced Andrabi, chief of the banned Dukhtaran-e-Millat, to life imprisonment, while her associates Fehmeeda and Nasreen were awarded 30-year jail terms. In its detailed order, the court held that the accused had conspired for the secession of Kashmir from India, citing video and social media evidence presented by the National Investigation Agency.
