The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed bail to Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah in a terror funding case.
A Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta granted relief to the 74-year-old, taking note of his prolonged detention and the slow progress of the trial.
Shah had earlier moved the apex court after the Delhi High Court declined to grant him bail.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Shah in 2019 in connection with the terror funding investigation. The agency has alleged that he played an important role in strengthening separatist networks in Jammu and Kashmir.
Investigators further claimed that Shah received funds through hawala channels and trade routes across the Line of Control (LoC) to support activities aimed at destabilising the region.
In his petition before the Supreme Court, Shah stated that he had remained behind bars for more than six years. He said the trial was progressing at a slow pace. His counsel added that the court had examined only about 15 witnesses so far out of nearly 400 listed in the case.
Earlier, the Delhi High Court rejected his bail application. The court said the allegations were serious. It added that it could not rule out the possibility that he might influence witnesses or engage in similar activities.
Shah approached the Supreme Court by filing a Special Leave Petition challenging the High Court’s decision.
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves appeared for Shah. He argued that the case against him was largely based on a single speech. He also emphasised the considerable time Shah had already spent in custody.
The NIA opposed the plea, maintaining that Shah and the other accused were involved in financing street protests intended to disrupt governance and support separatist activities.
Earlier in September 2025, the Supreme Court refused to grant him interim bail on medical grounds. However, it sought the NIA’s response regarding his regular bail plea.
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