NIA court extends separatist Shabir Shah’s custody in 1996 mob violence case till May 6 | India News
Jammu: A designated NIA court in Jammu on Monday extended the remand of separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah till May 6 in a three-decade-old terror case.The NIA chief investigating officer produced Shah before special judge Prem Sagar, who sought Shah’s further custody to probe the 1996 Naz Crossing mob violence case in Srinagar, officials said.Observing that the accused was primarily involved in serious offenses punishable under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Arms Act, the court extended his custody for another 10 days, but directed the agency to expedite the investigation and strictly comply with the provisions of the BNNS. The court also directed that the accused be medically examined every 48 hours.Shah, who was recently released on bail after spending nearly seven years in jail in other cases, was arrested on April 17 by the NIA’s Srinagar branch in Delhi in connection with a mob attack on policemen during a terrorist’s funeral in a 1996 case. He was brought to Jammu on transit remand and produced before an NIA court.According to the prosecution, during investigation, the accused admitted his presence at the Naz crossing during the attack and allegedly led the mob along with other Hurriyat Conference leaders. However, despite repeated questioning, he did not reveal the identity of the terrorists involved.It was also submitted that the Terrorism Investigation Agency has formally asked CID Kashmir and Doordarshan Kashmir (DD Kashmir) for archival footage and other material relating to the incident dated July 17, 1996.
