JAMMU A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Jammu has directed jail authorities to refrain from unnecessarily handcuffing separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah during his escorts to hospitals or court. The directive comes after Shah, an undertrial, petitioned that such restraint could aggravate his health issues and cause him pain.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Shah was arrested in April by the NIA in connection with a nearly three-decade-old case involving mob violence and firing on police during the funeral of a militant in Srinagar. This arrest occurred shortly after he was released on bail in other NIA cases, including one concerning terror funding, after serving approximately seven years.
The application, which sought both immediate medical attention and specific instructions against handcuffing or shackling during transit, was considered by special judge Prem Sagar of the NIA Court Jammu. The judge issued the directions on August 18.
According to a medical report submitted by the Superintendent of Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal, the accused has been receiving treatment from visiting specialist doctors and has been examined by a physician. The report also indicated that Shah is provided with a suitable diet and comfort items in accordance with his health condition.
The court acknowledged that the accused is 74 years old and suffers from multiple ailments. In instances where specialized treatment is required, the jail authorities are to ensure he is taken to appropriate medical professionals as needed. The judge stated in the four-page order that the jail authorities must adhere to the jail manual rules when escorting the accused to a hospital or court, ensuring he is not handcuffed without necessity and is accompanied by adequate security personnel.
Shah had previously detailed several medical conditions in his application, including hypertension, diabetes, cervical and lumbar spondylitis, bilateral inguinal hernia, osteoarthritis, and coronary artery disease, among others. His legal team argued that given his frail health and physical limitations, the use of handcuffs could lead to increased pain, humiliation, and further endanger his well-being.
The NIA took charge of the 1996 case in April under the directives of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Subsequently, a chargesheet was filed before the NIA Special Court in Jammu on July 10, 2026. Shah, along with other separatist leaders such as Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi and Javid Ahmad Mir, are listed as accused in this case. Proceedings against previously named accused Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Gani Lone, and Mohammad Yaqoob Wakeel have abated due to their passing.
The Chenab Times News Desk