The Supreme Court on Thursday listed the bail plea filed by Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah for January 7, 2026.
A bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta announced the ruling after counsel appearing for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) sought an adjournment on the ground that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta would argue on their behalf.
The court, however, made it clear that no further adjournment would be granted to the NIA. Shah had challenged the Delhi High Court’s June 12 order denying him bail in the case.
On Thursday, the counsel appearing for the NIA said, “The SG (solicitor general) is leading us. He is in a part-heard in court 7. Please have it in January.
While Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, who appeared for Shah, said the matter may be listed next week.
The bench pulled up NIA for seeking continuous adjournments in a case they believe should have been heard in September.
When asked about the status of the case, Luthra said NIA had examined more than 90 witnesses, and the process was ongoing to trim the number further.
However, responding sharply, Gonsalves argued that there are 248 witnesses, out of which only 30 have been examined.
The bench, after hearing the defence counsel's arguments, ruled “one last opportunity is given to the respondent (NIA); after that, we will have it on January and no further time will be granted.”
When Gonsalves requested that the matter be kept for hearing next week, the bench said, “We can hear it tomorrow. We can hear it today also. We have no difficulty; the difficulty is on the other side.”
On September 4, the top court had refused to grant interim bail to Shah in the case and issued notice to the NIA seeking its response on his plea challenging the high court order.
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