Delhi court to hear Engineer Rashid's bail plea in terror funding case tomorrow

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which filed the case against Engineer Rashid in connection with alleged terror funding dating back to 2017, has opposed the jurisdiction transfer plea.

In Short

• Enginner Rashid seeks MP/MLA court jurisdiction for his case
• NIA opposes case transfer, says only special NIA court can hear matter
• Rashid previously granted interim bail for election campaign

A Delhi court is set to pronounce its decision on Thursday regarding the transfer of the terror funding case against Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as 'Engineer Rashid', to a special MP/MLA court. Rashid, a Baramulla Lok Sabha MP, has sought the transfer, asserting that as an elected Member of Parliament, his case should be heard by a designated court for lawmakers.

The Patiala House Court on Wednesday reserved its order on the jurisdictional issue, which hinges on whether the Additional Sessions Judge presiding over the case or a special MP/MLA court has the authority to decide the matter.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which filed the case against Engineer Rashid in connection with alleged terror funding dating back to 2017, has opposed the jurisdiction transfer plea.

The NIA argued that the Additional Sessions Judge at Patiala House is the designated authority for cases investigated by the agency, emphasising that only a special NIA court can hear such matters.

Meanwhile, Rashid contends that his status as a Member of Parliament warrants the case being shifted to the MP/MLA court, as mandated for lawmakers facing legal proceedings.

In addition to the jurisdictional issue, the Patiala House Court deferred its decision on Rashid's regular bail plea to Thursday. The former legislator has been in legal limbo since his arrest in connection with the 2017 case.

Rashid was earlier granted interim bail on September 10, allowing him to campaign for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. However, after the expiration of his interim bail, he surrendered to Tihar Jail authorities in October.

Rashid, who contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate, made headlines by defeating prominent National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah from the Baramulla constituency.

Following his election victory, Rashid was granted a two-hour custody parole to take the oath as a Member of Parliament on July 5, 2024.