The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has summoned a Kashmir-based journalist, Aquib Javaid Hakeem, in connection with a case registered against Asiya Andrabi, chief of women’s separatist group Dukhtaran-e-Millat.

According to our sources, Hakeem is working with a local English daily. He has to appear before the investigators in Delhi at the NIA headquarters on 15 July.

“Aquib Javaid Hakeem,

“Whereas it appears that you are acquainted with the circumstances of the case noted below, which is now under investigation by the Superintendent of Police/NIA/New Delhi under Chapter XII of the Code of Criminal Procedure, you are here, required to attend before the undersigned at National Investigation Agency headquarters, Delhi on 15 July 2018 at 1230 for the purpose of your examination relating to the case,”

NIA Superintendent Vikas Katheria wrote in his summons sent under CrPC Section 160.

According to our sources, Hakeem’s statement will be recorded in a case of sedition, waging war against the state, criminal conspiracy, etc registered against Asiya Andrabi. Hakeem had interviewed Asiya recently.

Asiya was arrested by the NIA along with two of her associates and moved from Kashmir to Delhi on 6 July. NIA’s women officers had been asked to interrogate her considering the sensitivity of the case.

The trio was arrested in a new case registered by the NIA in April this year. Andrabi has been charged under IPC Sections 120B, 121, 121A, 124A, 153A, 153B and 505 of IPC and Section 18, 20, 38 & 39 of UA (P) Act 1967.