Former Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party president, Mehbooba Mufti, on Thursday urged the Union government to intervene on humanitarian grounds in the case of ailing separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah.
Citing Shah’s “critical health condition”, Mehbooba called for immediate measures to ensure adequate medical care and requested that his family be allowed to remain by his side during this difficult time.
“Shabir Shah incarcerated in Tihar Jail for a considerable period is reportedly suffering from prostate cancer & is in urgent need of surgery. Deeply unfortunate that the Courts have barred his family from being present during his treatment,” Mehbooba said in a post on X.
She appealed Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan to kindly intervene on humanitarian grounds.
“Appeal the Home Secretary Govind Mohan ji to kindly intervene on humanitarian grounds & ensure that due compassion care is extended in this critical time and that his family is allowed to be by his side at this difficult hour,” she said.
Shabir Shah, 71, the founder of the Democratic Freedom Party, has been in jail since 2017. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in July 2017. In 2019, the National Investigation Agency took his custody in an alleged terror funding case. He is presently lodged in Tihar Jail. The government also banned the Democratic Freedom Party as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Earlier this month, the separatist leader’s daughter, Sehar Shabir Shah, claimed that for almost two years now, they have had no prison calls from his side, something that is a basic right of every prisoner.
“Recently, through a lawyer, we came to know that he is seriously unwell and has been advised three urgent surgeries,” Sehar added.
