The Delhi High Court has directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to respond to Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid’s plea for expedited bail in a terror-funding case. Rashid’s bail application has faced procedural delays, affecting his parliamentary duties. The next hearing is set for January 30, with Rashid currently in Tihar Jail since 2019.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday (Jan 23rd) issued a notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in response to a plea by Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, seeking a swift resolution of his pending bail plea in a terror-funding case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Justice Vikas Mahajan directed the NIA to file a reply or status report before January 30, the next hearing date. The court was hearing Rashid’s petition for expediting his bail application, which has been in limbo for months.
Rashid’s Plea for Resolution
Senior Advocate N Hariharan, representing Rashid, argued that there appears to be no court to hear his bail application. Explaining the procedural delay, Hariharan said, “One trial court reserved his bail plea and then released it, saying it has no jurisdiction to hear MP/MLA cases.”
Also Read: 2017 Terror-Funding Case | Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid Seeks Bail in Delhi High Court
He further pleaded,
“I cannot be without redress. Either your lordship hears me or tells the concerned court to dispose of the application…he has heard me in detail and reserved it for orders and then come to this conclusion.”
Advocate Akshai Malik, representing the NIA, informed the court that in November 2024, the agency requested the Registrar General of the High Court to designate a court for hearing Rashid’s bail plea. However, this request is still pending. Hariharan countered, emphasizing that three months have passed since the request, and the bail application remains unresolved.
MP Urges Quick Resolution
Highlighting the importance of his parliamentary duties, Rashid’s lawyer stressed, “My constituency needs to be represented (in Parliament).” The prolonged delay in resolving the bail plea has affected Rashid’s ability to serve his people.
Rashid is currently lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail, facing charges under the UAPA for his alleged involvement in a terror-funding case. He was arrested in 2019.
Read Also: “Let Response Be Filed”: Delhi High Court Seeks CBI’s Stand on INX Media Petitions
Background of Engineer Rashid
A prominent political figure from Jammu and Kashmir, Rashid defeated former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah by over two lakh votes to win the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat. Despite his arrest, Rashid has continued to remain active in political discourse.
In 2024, Rashid was granted temporary bail by the trial court to campaign for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
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