NIA Court Directs Jail Authorities Not to Unnecessarily Handcuff Shabir Shah
Jammu, Aug 25, KNT: A special NIA court in Jammu has directed jail authorities to ensure that separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah is not unnecessarily handcuffed while being escorted from Central Jail Kot Bhalwal to a hospital or court.
Special Judge NIA Court Jammu Prem Sagar issued the direction while disposing of an application filed by Shah, who had sought medical treatment and specific directions against handcuffing or shackling during his movement outside the jail.
The court noted Shah’s advanced age and health condition and directed the jail authorities to provide specialised medical treatment whenever required.
The court also directed the authorities to follow the applicable jail rules while taking him to hospital or court and ensure that he is not unnecessarily handcuffed, while maintaining sufficient security personnel to escort him.
Shah, 74, had cited several health ailments and submitted that handcuffing could cause him pain and further affect his health.
According to the court order, the jail authorities had informed the court that Shah had been examined by visiting physicians and specialised doctors and was being provided medical care and diet according to his health condition.
Shah was arrested by the National Investigation Agency in April in connection with a case dating back to 1996 involving alleged mob violence and firing on policemen during the last rites of a militant at Naaz Crossing in Srinagar.
The NIA subsequently filed a chargesheet before the Special NIA Court Jammu on July 10, naming Shah along with other separatist leaders including Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi and Javid Ahmad Mir as accused in the case.
The proceedings against Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Gani Lone and Mohammad Yaqoob Wakeel, who were also named as accused, have abated following their deaths. [KNT]
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