Srinagar: A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Jammu has directed jail authorities not to unnecessarily handcuff separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah while taking him from Central Jail Kot Bhalwal to a hospital or court. Seventy-four-year-old Shah has been in and out of prison since 1989. In his application to the court, he cited his age and multiple health issues, and said handcuffing could cause pain and put his health at further risk.Special Judge of the NIA court in Jammu, Prem Sagar, considered Shah’s application, submitted through his counsel, Tanveer Ahmed Khan, on August 18. Khan was seeking medical treatment and protection against handcuffing or shackling during his movement outside jail.The court said in its order that Shah is in an “advanced stage of age” and suffers from many ailments. The order says that the jail authorities must abide by the jail manual while escorting him and ensure that he is not unnecessarily handcuffed. The order further said that he must be accompanied by sufficient security personnel while taking him to the hospital and court.“Admittedly, the accused is of advance stage of 74 years of age and suffering from several ailments and in this eventuality if the applicant requires any specialised treatment be taken to specialised doctor/s by jail authorities as and when needed. The jail authorities shall follow the rules as per jail manual while taking him to hospital or court from jail and ensure that accused be not unnecessarily handcuffed and he shall be escorted by sufficient security personnel to guard him,” the judge said in a four-page order.The court also ordered that the jail authorities must take Shah to specialised doctors whenever needed.Also read: Family of Kashmiri Separatist Leader Shabir Shah Seeks His Bail on Medical Grounds, Politicians Join inShah’s application containing his medical record mentioned that he is suffering from hypertension, diabetes, cervical and lumbar spondylitis, bilateral inguinal hernia, osteoarthritis and coronary artery disease.The court was also informed that Shah had been attended by doctors and a physician inside the jail. Also, the court was informed that he was being provided a medical diet and other items suited to his health.“As per the medical report received from Superintendent Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal wherein it is stated that accused/applicant was provided treatment by visiting specialised doctors besides being examined by visiting physician. The applicant/accused is on good medical diet as per the protocol and he is provided with the articles for his comfort in consonance with his health condition,” the court order reads.Arrested again shortly after bailShah was arrested by the NIA in April 2026 in a 1996 case of violence in Srinagar. He was arrested shortly after he had been granted bail in March this year after he had spent nearly seven years in custody in other NIA and Enforcement Directorate cases.The Supreme Court had granted him bail in a terrorism-funding case on March 12, 2026. The court had then ntoed Shah’s prolonged incarceration, advanced age, medical condition and the slow pace of the trial. The Supreme Court also noted that just 34 out of the 248 witnesses in his case had been examined.A Delhi court subsequently granted him bail in the related money-laundering case on March 28, paving the way for his release. But Shah was arrested again in April in the July 17, 1996 case related to violence at the Naaz Crossing in Srinagar during the funeral procession of slain militant Hilal Ahmad Beigh.The Union Ministry of Home Affairs directed the NIA to take over the investigation in April 2026.The investigating agency alleged that police personnel were attacked and fired upon my members of the funeral procession. It has alleged a larger conspiracy involving senior Hurriyat leaders. The NIA filed its chargesheet before the Special NIA Court in Jammu on July 10, 2026. Shah has been charge sheeted along with Javid Ahmad Mir and Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi.The chargesheet also mentioned other Hurriyat leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Gani Lone and Mohammad Yaqoob Wakeel. Proceedings against the three have ended following their death.The agency accused the separatist leaders of “criminal conspiracy, rioting, assault on public servants and other offences”. It has also invoked Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.Shah’s 38 years of jail visitsShah has spent decades moving in and out of detention. His lawyers informed the apex court in March this year that he had been in and out of jail in one case or another for about 38 years.His latest arrest came soon after his release on bail, putting him back behind bars in a case dating back nearly three decades.