Politicians from across the spectrum in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to grant bail to separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, who was arrested in a terror-funding case by the National Investigation Agency on June 4, 2019.
Mehbooba Mufti, former chief minister and president of the Peoples Democratic Party, welcomed the court ruling but expressed concern over other detainees who remain in custody under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Speaking to reporters, Mehbooba said Shah’s family, particularly his daughter, had worked tirelessly to pursue the legal battle that eventually reached the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court’s decision is being hailed in the Kashmir Valley as a long-overdue measure of justice.
She said the perseverance shown by Shah’s daughter reflected how determined families often have to be to seek justice. “Only a child could do so much. Allah gave them the strength to approach the Supreme Court,” she said.
However, she questioned the fate of many others who are unable to afford prolonged legal battles. “What about those poor people who do not have enough money to approach higher courts?” she asked, referring to individuals booked under UAPA who remain under trial.
While expressing gratitude over the verdict in Shah’s case, the former chief minister said the larger issue was the number of people from Jammu and Kashmir who continue to face trial under the anti-terror law.
She said they had earlier approached the Jammu and Kashmir High Court seeking the transfer of undertrials from J&K who are currently imprisoned in jails outside the union Territory, but the plea was dismissed. She added that she may move the Supreme Court on the issue.
Hurriyat chairman and Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed hope that courts would extend similar relief to other detainees.
“Alhumdulilah! Welcome the bail granted to Shabir Shah saheb after prolonged incarceration by the Supreme Court. We fervently hope that the courts in the same spirit give relief to all political prisoners and youth languishing in jails inside and outside Jammu and Kashmir, bringing cheer to their families and the people of Jammu & Kashmir,” Mirwaiz said.
The ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference spokesman, Tanvir Sadiq termed the development significant.
“The Supreme Court granting bail to Shabir Ahmad Shah is a significant development. While the legal process will take its own course, the decision underscores the importance of due process and the presumption of justice within our constitutional framework. After years in custody, this will bring relief to his family,” Sadiq said.
Sajad Lone, president of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference, also welcomed the decision.
“News is coming in that Shabir Ahmed Shah has been granted bail by the Supreme Court. It is good news.
He has not been keeping well at all. Hope he walks back home to recuperate and spend time with his family,” he said.
Abrar Rashid, son of jailed MP Engineer Rashid, expressed hope that other detainees would also receive justice.
“The decision of the Supreme Court of India to grant bail to Shabir Shah is a welcome step. I sincerely hope that Engineer Rashid and other Kashmiris languishing in jails will also receive justice without delay.
The decision by the court gives hope to many families waiting for justice,” he said in a post on X
Meanwhile, Shah’s daughter Sehar Shabir expressed relief after the verdict.
She invoked a Qur’anic verse, Nasrun minallahi wa fathun qareeb, which signifies divine help and the nearness of victory.
“After 39 years of imprisonment without conviction, today justice has taken its first step. We always had faith in the judiciary, and today that faith stands affirmed,” she said on X.
Shah was arrested in 2019 in an alleged terror-funding case and has been lodged in Tihar Jail since then.
A long-time separatist leader, Shah has spent more than 38 years of his life in prison over the decades.
