Terror-funding case: Supreme Court grants bail to Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah

The Supreme Court on Thursday (March 12, 2026) granted bail to Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah in a terror-funding case.

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order saying that a detailed order will follow with some conditions regarding Mr. Shah’s bail

During the last hearing on February 25, 2026, the Bench heard the submissions made by the NIA and scheduled the matter for today (March 12) for senior advocate Colin Gonsalves — representing Mr. Shah — to present his rejoinder arguments.

While hearing the matter on January 13, the Supreme Court pulled up the NIA for not properly presenting its case and asked the agency to justify Mr. Shah’s detention for more than six years.

Also Read | Court orders release of Kashmiri separatist Shabir Shah in terror funding case

It had asked the NIA to produce a couple of his speeches and other relevant facts in the case.

On September 4, 2025, the Supreme Court refused to grant interim bail to Mr. Shah in the case and issued notice to the NIA seeking its response on his plea challenging the Delhi High Court’s June 12, 2025 order.

The High Court refused bail to Mr. Shah in the case, observing that the possibility of his carrying out similar unlawful activities and influencing witnesses could not be ruled out.

Mr. Shah was arrested by the NIA on June 4, 2019.

In 2017, the NIA booked 12 people on allegations of conspiracy for raising funds to disrupt by way of pelting stones, damaging public property and conspiring to wage war against the central government.

Mr. Shah was alleged to have played a “substantial role” in facilitating a separatist movement in Jammu and Kashmir by inciting the general public to raise slogans in support of Jammu and Kashmir’s secession, paying tribute to the family of slain terrorists or militants by eulogising them as “martyrs”, receiving money through hawala transactions and raising funds via cross-LoC trade, which were allegedly used to fuel subversive and militant activities.

The High Court dismissed Mr. Shah’s appeal against the trial court’s July 7, 2023, order refusing him bail. It also rejected his alternative prayer seeking “house arrest”, given the serious nature of the charges.

The High Court noted that he was the chairman of an unlawful organisation, the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party.

It examined a table elaborating on the 24 pending cases against Mr. Shah, indicating his involvement in several criminal cases of a similar nature and related to conspiring for the secession of Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India.