Supreme Court Gives NIA Three Weeks, Seeks Hard Evidence in Shabir Shah Bail Case

The bench questioned reliance on an acquitted co-accused and signaled it expects concrete proof to justify years of custody.

Overview

The court listed Shabir Ahmed Shah’s bail plea for February 10 and asked the NIA to file a detailed response within three weeks.
The judges asked the agency to show hard evidence for detention beyond six years and pressed it on using statements by co-accused Vani, who was acquitted.
NIA counsel said the trial is underway with about 34 witnesses examined and the witness list pruned from roughly 290 to an estimated 150 to be taken.
The defence cited Shah’s age of 74, over six-and-a-half years in custody in this case, no recovery or call data tying him to funding, and proposed confined bail at his home and garden.
Prosecutors alleged Shah enabled separatist activity through incitement and funds via hawala and cross-LoC trade, while the court noted it will take a call on bail at the next hearing.