Supreme Court of India Grants Bail to Shabir Ahmed Shah

The Supreme Court of India granted bail on March 12, 2026, to Shabir Ahmed Shah, a 72-year-old Kashmiri separatist leader and head of the banned Democratic Freedom Party. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta based the decision on irregularities in the trial proceedings, Shah's prolonged incarceration, and his failing health, which includes kidney complications and potential prostate cancer.

Shah had been imprisoned since 2017 in a case filed by the National Investigation Agency involving allegations of terror funding and anti-national activities. The NIA alleged that Shah used hawala transactions and cross-LoC trade to finance militants and maintain contacts with Pakistan-based terrorists. The Supreme Court ruling overturned a June 12, 2025, order from the Delhi High Court, which had previously denied bail due to concerns that Shah might resume unlawful activities or influence witnesses.

During proceedings, the NIA opposed the release and claimed Shah had spent just over eight years in custody across various cases, while his legal team asserted he had been imprisoned for 38 years. The court ordered the NIA to recommend stringent conditions for the bail period and noted that a detailed order would follow. The decision was welcomed by Shah's family and Kashmiri leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Sajad Lone, who viewed it as a step toward justice.