Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Court Says Shabir Shah Should Not Be Unnecessarily Handcuffed
A court in Jammu considered a request from Shabir Ahmad Shah, who is 74 years old and has several health problems.
Shah said handcuffs could cause him pain and worsen his condition.
The court did not completely forbid handcuffs.
Instead, it told jail officials not to use them unnecessarily.
Officials must still follow jail rules when taking him to a hospital or court.
They must also provide enough guards to keep him secure.
The court noted that Shah had received treatment from visiting doctors and was being given a suitable diet.
Shah is being held in a case connected to violence and shooting at police during a terrorist’s funeral-related last rites in 1996.
A special NIA court in Jammu directed jail authorities not to unnecessarily handcuff Shabir Ahmad Shah.
The order followed Shah’s plea for medical treatment and protection from handcuffing during hospital or court transfers.
The 74-year-old separatist leader cited multiple ailments, including hypertension, diabetes, hernias and coronary artery disease.
The court said specialised treatment should be provided when needed and that sufficient security personnel must escort him.
Shah was arrested in April in a 1996 terror case involving mob violence and firing at policemen during a terrorist’s last rites in Srinagar.
- Who
- Separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, jail authorities and the National Investigation Agency.
- What
- A special NIA court directed that Shah not be unnecessarily handcuffed during transfers to hospitals or court.
- When
- The order was passed on August 18; the report was issued on August 25.
- Where
- The order concerns Shah’s movement from Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal, in Jammu, to a hospital or court.
- Why
- Shah argued that handcuffing could cause pain, humiliation and further endanger his health because of his age and medical conditions.
Shah’s Health Concerns
Security and Jail Procedures
Use of Handcuffs
Shah’s Health Concerns
Shah argued that handcuffing could cause pain, humiliation and further threaten his health because of his age, physical incapacity and multiple ailments.
Security and Jail Procedures
The court required jail authorities to follow the jail manual, avoid unnecessary handcuffing and use sufficient security personnel to guard him.
Medical Care
Shah’s Health Concerns
Shah sought immediate medical treatment and specialised care for his reported conditions.
Security and Jail Procedures
The jail medical report said he had been examined by visiting doctors and a physician, was receiving treatment and was being provided a suitable medical diet.
- Court
- Special NIA Court, Jammu
- Judge
- Special Judge Prem Sagar
- Detainee
- Shabir Ahmad Shah, aged 74
- Prison
- Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal
- Arrest
- Shah was arrested in April in connection with the case.
- Case
- A 1996 case involving mob violence and firing on policemen during a terrorist’s last rites at Naaz crossing in Srinagar.
- Chargesheet
- The NIA filed a chargesheet before the special court on July 10, 2026, according to the report.