Sama Shah, the daughter of incarcerated separatist leader Shabir Shah, has unequivocally declared her allegiance to India, distancing herself from any involvement in separatist activities. Nearly five years after being summoned in a money laundering case, Sama Shah made her stance clear through a public notice, affirming her status as a loyal citizen of India and disavowing any association with individuals or organizations opposing the sovereignty of the Union of India.
In a published notice in Kashmir-based media, Sama Shah reiterated her loyalty, stating, “I, Sama Shabir Shah, daughter of Shabir Ahmed Shah, resident of Afandi Bagh, Sanat Nagar, Srinagar, want to clarify that I have not been associated nor have any affiliation with the Democratic Freedom Party, nor do I have any inclination towards the ideology of the Democratic Freedom Party.” She further warned of legal action against anyone linking her name with the said party, emphasizing her commitment to India’s sovereignty.
In April 2019, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned Sama Shah in connection with a money laundering case involving her father. At the time, Sama was pursuing law studies in Manchester, United Kingdom, and received the summons at her residence in Srinagar. The case against Shah and Aslam Wani, his associate, stemmed from alleged hawala transactions dating back to August 2005.
Meanwhile, in May 2023, Sehar Shah, Shabir Ahmed Shah’s younger daughter, attempted to raise false allegations of police harassment ahead of the G20 summit in Srinagar. Despite her claims linking the incident to the upcoming summit, Jammu and Kashmir Police clarified that the search operation was conducted based on intelligence regarding terrorist activity, unrelated to the G20 summit.
Shabir Ahmed Shah, founder of the Democratic Freedom Party, has been detained since July 25, 2017, following the arrest of his associate Aslam Wani by the Special Cell of Delhi Police. The arrest was in connection with a longstanding money laundering case involving allegations of terror funding.
Despite the legal entanglements faced by her family, Sama Shah’s public declaration underscores her commitment to India’s integrity, separate from the controversies surrounding her father’s political affiliations and legal troubles.
