In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, a Special NIA Court in Jammu has rejected the bail plea of illegally detained senior Hurriyat leader Shabbir Ahmad Shah by invoking draconian laws in a three-decade-old case. According to Kashmir Media Service, Special Judge NIA Cases, Jammu, Prem Sagar dismissed the application. The case relates to a funeral procession held on July 17, 1996 following the killing of Hilal Ahmad Beigh. According to prosecution, the procession moved from Zaina Kadal towards Eidgah in Srinagar.

NIA alleged that Shabbir Shah was among the principal persons leading the procession, raising slogans and delivering speeches. The case invokes various sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Arms Act. Senior Advocate Mohammad Aslam Goni, assisted by Advocates Tanveer Ahmed Khan and Yasin Zargar, argued that the case arose from an incident nearly three decades old, that Shabbir Shah had remained available to investigating agencies and that prolonged incarceration could not be justified.

The defence also cited his age, medical condition, prolonged detention and grant of bail to other accused, contending there was no material showing any direct act of violence by him. Public Prosecutors Ashwani Verma and Chandan Kumar Singh, appearing for NIA, opposed bail claiming Shabbir Shah played a leading role and enjoyed influence among sympathisers, and that protected witnesses had been examined while further investigation was continuing. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court rejected the bail plea of the senior Hurriyat leader.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)