Srinagar, Aug 27 : The Patiala House Court on Tuesday ordered the release of senior Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, who was facing charges in a money laundering case linked to terror funding. The decision was made by Additional Sessions Judge Dheeraj Mor, who ruled that Shah has already served the maximum sentence of seven years as stipulated under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The judge highlighted that Shah has been in continuous custody for more than seven years and therefore ordered his immediate release.
Shabir Shah, born on June 14, 1953, in Kadipora, Anantnag, is the founder and president of the Democratic Freedom Party, which advocates for the right of self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite being one of the most prominent separatist leaders in the region, Shah is known for his non-violent stance and has never taken up arms.
Shah was arrested in 2017 and has remained in custody since then.
