SRINAGAR: The family and political parties are seeking the release of detained separatist Altaf Shah on bail on humanitarian grounds. The family has said Shah is admitted to the hospital and is in an ICU and requires to be taken to a better hospital.
“My father is currently admitted at RML hospital. It was said that he had renal cancer and now that has spread… the doctors at RML have told us that they can’t do anything about it and he needs to be shifted to another hospital,” Ruwa Shah, his daughter, was quoted by The Indian Express saying on Sunday. “There is nothing that can be done at RML anymore. I want to see my father and can’t even see him through the ICU window.”
The newspaper said that Shah was admitted to the RML hospital on September 16 after his health deteriorated.
Ruwa had appealed to the government to grant her access to her father. They have also moved an interim bail application before an NIA court in Delhi seeking his transfer to Apollo hospital on humanitarian grounds. The court had sought medical records of Shah, who is in jail since July 24, 2017. The case is listed for October 6.
The plea had also sought permission for his son and daughter to see their father. Besides, they are seeking medical records so that they can get an alternative medical opinion.
Ruwa’s public appeal for permission to see her father was supported by some politicians. “Continued incarceration of Altaf Shah is inhumane as he is critically ill. Request @HMOIndia to release him on humanitarian grounds so that he can be with his family in such distressing times,” former Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.
“As per the tweets of his daughter Ms Ruwa Shah, he has been diagnosed with renal cancer that had metastasized and spread to other parts of his body, including his bones, requiring immediate medical attention,” a statement issued by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq led Hurriyat said. It has appealed the Government of India to ensure that Shah is granted immediate bail on humanitarian grounds.
An unconfirmed report said the government has given Ruwa Shah, access to her detained father, Altaf Ahmed Shah, for “a few minutes”.
