Kashmir religious leader terms separatist Shabir Shah's bail denial unjust

Kashmir chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called the rejection of bail for separatist leader Shabir Shah by a National Investigation Agency court both disappointing and unfair. The cleric noted that Mr. Shah remains behind bars even though the Supreme Court granted him bail in March this year, extending an imprisonment that has lasted nearly forty years without any formal conviction.

Health Concerns

The religious leader stated that the extended captivity has severely damaged Mr. Shah's health, adding that the politician urgently needs medical care and support from his relatives. Beyond this case, the cleric expressed worry about other political detainees dealing with severe medical problems following years of custody and slow-moving trials. He urged the Central government, opposition politicians, civil society groups, and advocates of human rights to work toward securing the release of these prisoners so they can rejoin their families.

Context

Separatist figures in Kashmir have historically faced prolonged detentions under strict security laws, often drawing appeals from local religious and community leaders for their release on humanitarian grounds. Such cases frequently highlight debates around the timeline of legal proceedings and the medical welfare of individuals held in prolonged custody without a trial completion.