Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid has petitioned the Delhi High Court for bail under the UAPA related to a 2017 terror-funding case. His legal team seeks expedited consideration of his bail application after a lower court refused to rule on it. Rashid, imprisoned since 2019, remains a significant political figure despite his charges.
New Delhi: Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, has approached the Delhi High Court seeking bail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the 2017 terror-funding case. His legal team has requested the High Court to direct the trial court to expedite its decision on Rashid’s regular bail application. Alternatively, they have asked the High Court to adjudicate and decide on the bail.
The matter is slated for hearing in the Delhi High Court tomorrow.
Background and Court Proceedings
Recently, the Patiala House Court in Delhi declined to entertain an application requesting a ruling on Rashid’s regular bail plea. The court explained that it is only authorized to address miscellaneous applications at this stage, not regular bail petitions.
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Earlier, the district judge transferred the case back to the Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) after the ASJ requested that the matter be moved to a designated court for lawmakers, given Rashid’s position as a Member of Parliament. This transfer was consented to by both Rashid and the prosecuting agency, the National Investigation Agency (NIA). However, the Delhi High Court’s decision on jurisdiction remains pending, and until then, the ASJ court will continue to handle the case.
Engineer Rashid’s Legal Battles
Rashid, an independent Lok Sabha MP from Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, surrendered at Tihar Jail after his interim bail expired. He was arrested in August 2019 under UAPA in connection with the NIA’s terror-funding investigation. Despite his incarceration, Rashid contested the 2024 parliamentary elections from jail and won by a margin of 204,000 votes, defeating former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
In 2022, the NIA court framed charges against Rashid and several prominent figures, including Hafiz Saeed, Syed Salahuddin, Yasin Malik, and others. These charges pertain to alleged funding and support for militant activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Allegations of Terror Funding
The NIA alleges that various militant organizations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Jaish-e-Mohammed, worked in coordination with Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, to finance and plan attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. The funds, reportedly channeled through hawala networks, were allegedly used to incite violence, target civilians and security forces, and destabilize the region.
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The agency also accuses the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) of furthering separatist agendas under the guise of political resistance. According to the NIA, the funding supported activities such as burning schools, damaging public property, and promoting unrest in the region.
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