New Delhi: In a recent judicial decision, a Delhi court has mandated the release of senior APHC leader Shabbir Ahmad Shah from one of the charges against him, although he remains incarcerated for other accusations. Shah, detained since 2017, has been a focal point in discussions about the treatment of Kashmiri leaders by Indian authorities.
According to Kashmir Media Service, despite the court’s order for his release in a money laundering case due to the excessive duration of his detention surpassing the maximum possible sentence, Shabbir Shah will continue to be held in Tihar Jail under two additional charges. The ruling by Additional Sessions Judge Dheeraj Mor of the Patiala House Courts came after recognizing that Shah had been held longer than the seven-year maximum sentence stipulated for the alleged crime.
However, Shah’s ongoing imprisonment relates to other cases handled by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), agencies that have been criticized for their prosecutorial conduct, particularly against Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders. The next court session, scheduled for October 23, will address these remaining charges.
This case underscores the broader context of Indian legal actions against Kashmiri activists, illustrating the complex and contentious nature of law enforcement concerning Kashmiri political figures.