NIA court rejects bail plea of Shabir Shah; Mirwaiz calls it unjust, family to approach J&K High Court

The NIA court in Jammu has rejected the bail plea of Shabir Shah, which Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said was disappointing and unjust despite Supreme Court giving him a bail in another case earlier this year.

Shah's family said also termed the rejection of bail as "disappointing" and are now planning to approach High Court with a fresh bail plea.

"The rejection of Shah’s bail plea... is deeply disappointing and unjust. Despite the Supreme Court granting him bail in March this year, his incarceration continues after nearly four decades spent in prisons without conviction," said Mirwaiz.


He further said that Shah's prolonged detention has seriously affected his health, and he needs urgent medical attention and family care. "The same concern applies to most other political prisoners suffering serious health issues after years of detention and delayed trials," said Mirwaiz. He appealed Govt of India, opposition leaders, civil society to ensure their release and return to families.

Shah,73, has spent around 40 years of his life in jail and is currently in jail for a decade at a stretch. This case pertains to a case registered in 1996, when Shah along with other Hurriyat led a funeral procession in the heart of Srinagar city around Naaz cinema.

The NIA court in Jammu in its order written by special judge Prem Sagar has said that "there is a well founded apprehension that it released the applicant is likely to continue such activities to the detriment to national security and public order.

"We were hopeful to see my father after Supreme Court bail for which we had even prepared to stay in Delhi as per the bail conditions. But he was shifted to Kot Balwal jail in Jammu where his health is worsening as doctors are not able to see him properly and diagnose the problem," said Sehar, daughter of Shabir Shah. She said that Shah's SC bail order has become a precedence and some other detainees were given bail because of that order but Shah himself is still in jail. "We will now approach High Court for bail," she said.