Shabir Ahmad Shah is suffering from multiple life-threatening ailments, including prostate cancer.
National Conference leader and Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking immediate and dignified medical treatment for jailed separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, who is suffering from multiple life-threatening ailments, including prostate cancer.
In his letter dated June 25, Mehdi expressed grave concern over the deteriorating health of the 70-year-old detainee, who has been incarcerated since 2017 without family support.
Mehdi noted that doctors have recommended three surgeries for Shah, but his continued detention without proper medical care has raised serious humanitarian and legal concerns.
“Despite the gravity of his condition, he remains incarcerated. During his medical visit to Safdarjung Hospital on May 1, 2025, his family alleged he was subjected to harassment and degrading treatment by escorting officers, and that access to his medical records has also been withheld from them,” Mehdi said in the letter.
Citing India’s constitutional and international obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Nelson Mandela Rules, the MP from Srinagar argued that prisoners are entitled to be treated with humanity and dignity. “Prisoners must receive the same standard of healthcare available to the general population,” the letter read.
Mehdi pointed out that other undertrial prisoners, including Zahoor Watali and Gautam Navlakha, were granted house arrest on medical and humanitarian grounds. “Why the same consideration can’t be extended to Mr Shah is a question his family has constantly raised,” he added.
Mehdi urged the home minister to ensure that Shabir Shah is shifted to a medical facility equipped for cancer treatment and that his family be involved in all medical decisions as per the law.
“The measure of a nation is how it treats its weakest. Let us not fail that test,” Mehdi concluded.
The NC MP has emerged as a strong voice in support of the people’s rights. He has been particularly vocal about the demand for the restoration of Article 370 and the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He has also been critical of his party leadership for not raising the issues concerning the rights of the people with the Centre.
His view has led to a rift between him and NC leadership, particularly the party’s vice president, Omar Abdullah, who is the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. The two have been firing salvos publicly.
