Appeal to GoI to release ailing leader after SC bail, amid NIA remand in 1996 terror case
Jammu: Strong concern has been expressed over the fresh arrest of Hurriyat leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, with a statement alleging that continued legal action against the ailing leader undermines the justice system.
“Even after serving a lifetime of 39 years in jail for his political beliefs, Shah sahib, now old and critically ailing, is yet again being persecuted despite the bail granted to him by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. This is very unfortunate and worrying,” the statement said.
It further described the development as a “revolving door policy”, adding that one case replacing another to ensure continued incarceration weakens faith in due process. “We appeal to the Government of India once again not to prolong the suffering of Shah sahab and his family and let him be set free,” it added.
The reaction comes after the National Investigation Agency arrested Shah in connection with a 1996 terror case involving an attack on policemen during a militant’s funeral.
Shah, 72, was produced before a special NIA court in Jammu, which remanded him to 10-day custody for interrogation. He had earlier been granted bail by the Supreme Court in a militancy-funding case on March 12 and by a Delhi court in a money laundering case on March 28, after nearly seven years of imprisonment in other cases.
