NIA opposes bail plea of Shabbir Shah in Indian SC
Rejects assertion of Kashmir's distinct status
New Delhi: India’s notorious National Investigation Agency (NIA) has once again opposed the bail plea of senior Hurriyat leader Shabbir Ahmed Shah in the Indian Supreme Court, continuing its challenge against his release in a fake and politically-motivated case. The NIA also rejected objected the assertion made by Kashmiri pro-freedom leaders that India and Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are separate entities.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the case was heard by a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, who were deliberating on Shabbir Shah’s plea challenging the Delhi High Court’s June 12 order, which had denied him bail in the case.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the NIA, rejected the stand taken by Kashmiri pro-freedom leaders, who assert that IIOJK and India are distinct. “Before the Supreme Court of India, nobody can say Indian State and Jammu and Kashmir. I am making an issue out of it,” Mehta Mehta told the bench, expressing frustration over such claims.
In his arguments, Mehta also questioned Shah’s contention that he had been incarcerated for over 30-plus years. “Shah’s claim of being in jail for 30-plus years is factually incorrect,” Mehta argued.
However, Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, representing Shabbir Shah, corrected Mehta, stating that Shah has indeed been in jail for 39 years, asserting the ongoing suffering of the Kashmiri Hurriyat leader.
The Indian SC bench granted Shah 10 days to file a rejoinder in response to the NIA’s affidavit. Despite the legal back-and-forth, Gonsalves emphasized the urgent need for a prompt hearing, citing Shah’s deteriorating health. He requested an expedited hearing, noting that Shah is “very sick.”
The bench then listed the matter for hearing on November 10, advancing it from the initial date of November 14.
Shabbir Shah was arrested by the NIA on June 4, 2019, in connection with the ongoing crackdown on Kashmiri pro-freedom leaders and activists advocating for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. The Delhi High Court had earlier refused bail to Shah, citing concerns that his release could lead to “unlawful” activities and might influence witnesses in the case.
