A Delhi court on Wednesday acquitted Manipur activist Irom Sharmila in a case of attempted suicide registered against her in 2006 when she was undertaking a fast until death at the Jantar Mantar, PTI reported. Sharmila has been on a hunger strike for 16 years demanding that the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act be repealed.

The activist in 2013 had refused to plead guilty in the case, so the court took it to trial, and she has been out on bail since. During her hearing, the prosecutor claimed Sharmila showed the intent to kill herself and that the offence she had committed was clear. However, she claimed she loved her life and was using her fast as a stand against the AFSPA, which gives the Army unbridled power and protection in conflict-ridden states and has been criticised for widespread misuse.

Sharmila has often been charged with the same offence, to which she said "I am fed up by trials on the same charge again and again.” She also reiterated her interest in meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which she has been unable to do so far.