Mehbooba urges MHA to take humanitarian view as jailed separatist leader battles life-threatening illness

Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday urged the Union Home Minister to take a humanitarian view of jailed separatist leader Shabir Shah's condition, emphasizing the need to ensure he receives proper medical care as he battles a life-threatening illness.

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Mehbooba’s appeal came after Shah's daughter, Sehar Shabir, posted an emotional appeal for compassion, justice, and basic humanity for her father.

“Request @HMOIndia to urgently consider the heartfelt appeal of Seher Shabir whose father Shabir Shah is battling a life-threatening illness. In this critical moment we urge GOI to take a humanitarian view by ensuring he receives proper medical care. This may be the family’s last chance to ease his suffering. Please let compassion guide the response,” Mehbooba said in a post on X.

Shabir Shah, the founder of the Democratic Freedom Party, has been in jail since 2017. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in July 2017. In 2019, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took his custody in an alleged terror funding case. He is presently lodged in Tihar Jail.

In the last few days several political parties in Kashmir have been urging the central government to allow Shah’s family to be by his side as he reportedly battles cancer in jail.