The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued a notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), about a regular bail plea filed by Sheikh Abdul Rashid, known as Engineer Rashid, a member of Parliament from Baramulla.
Rashid is currently disorganized in Tihar Jail in connection with a terrorist funding case. He was arrested by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for his alleged involvement in the 2017 terror funding case. He has now challenged the trial court’s order of March 21, which rejected his bail plea.
Additionally, Rashid fought the allegations against him in the second appeal. During the proceedings, the NIA counsel pointed out a delay of 1,104 days in filing the appeal and argued that as per the legal provisions, the delay could not be earned more than 90 days.
However, Rashid’s legal representatives advocate Aditya Wadhwa and Vikit Oberoi, said that the delay would be justified and the 90-day limit under the law should not be considered rigid, especially when the matter is related to a person’s life and freedom.
Accepting these arguments, the court issued a notice about the condensation application and set the case for hearing on 29 July 2025.
Rashid was arrested in August 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). While in custody, he filed his nomination from jail for the 2024 parliamentary elections and defeated former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to win by a margin of 204,000 votes.
In 2022, the NIA court at Patiala House ordered allegations against Rashid and several other major data, including Hafiz Saeed, Syed Salhuddin, Yasin Malik, Shabbir Shah, Masrat Alam, Zaur Ahmad Watli, Bitta Karate, Afatb Ahmed Shah, Avarah Shah, Avarah Shah, Avarah Shah, Avarah Shah, Avarah Shah, Evarah Shah, Avarah Shah, Avarah Shah, Avarah Shah, The allegation stems from an investigation into terrorist financing in Jammu and Kashmir.
The NIA alleges that various terrorist groups including Lashkar-e-Tabiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) collaborate with Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, which to target citizens and security forces in the region.
According to the investigation, the All Party Hurriot Conference (APHC) was formed in 1993 to pursue separatist activities, with alleged financial assistance through Havildar and other Clandstine channels.
The agency claims that Hafiz Saeed and Hurriyat leaders used these funds to create unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, which attack attacks on security forces, damage violent protests, burning schools and public property.
The NIA argues that the purpose of these works was to destabilize the region and promote terrorism under the guise of political resistance. (AI)
