Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), a constituent of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, has strongly condemned the Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA) for opposing the bail plea of its incarcerated president, Shabir Ahmed Shah, despite his deteriorating health condition.
In a statement issued on Sunday, DFP Spokesperson Advocate Arshad Iqbal termed the NIA's case against Shabir Ahmed Shah as 'baseless and politically motivated.' He said the agency, having failed to produce any substantial evidence in court, was now resorting to 'dilly-dallying tactics' to prolong Shah's detention.
Referring to Shah's declining health, Advocate Iqbal criticized the Indian judiciary for 'toeing the government line rather than delivering justice.' He pointed out that Shabir Ahmed Shah has faced unproven charges since 1968 and, even after eight years in Delhi's Tihar Jail, no court has been able to substantiate the allegations against him.
'The denial of bail is being used as a deliberate tactic to extend the unlawful detention of Kashmiri political prisoners,' he said, adding that Shah and other Hurriyat leaders were being punished solely for their peaceful political struggle and advocacy of the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination.
Denouncing Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for 'distorting facts' regarding Shah's detention, Advocate Iqbal said the veteran leader has spent more than half his life behind bars due to his political beliefs.
He urged international human rights organizations to take immediate notice of Shah's fragile health, stressing that the ailing leader suffers from multiple ailments requiring specialized medical care unavailable in prison.
'Arrested in 2017, Shabir Ahmed Shah is suffering from several chronic diseases and has lost considerable weight, reflecting the alarming deterioration in his health,' the DFP spokesman said.
He expressed regret that despite Shah's worsening condition, the Indian judiciary continues to reject his bail pleas.
Reiterating the party's demand for the transfer of all Kashmiri political prisoners back to the Valley, the spokesman said the Indian government must respect prisoners' fundamental right to health and ensure access to adequate medical treatment in line with international humanitarian norms.