Court Rejects to Rule on Rashid Engineer’s Bail Application in NIA Case

Srinagar : A Delhi court has refused to decide on the regular bail application of Jammu and Kashmir Member of Parliament (MP) Rashid Engineer in a terror-funding case. Rashid, who was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2019, has been in Tihar Jail since then. His bail plea was rejected by Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Chander Jit Singh, who said he could only decide on a smaller application and not the regular bail request at this stage.

On December 19, a district judge had sent the case back to the ASJ’s court after the judge had asked for the case to be moved to a court specifically set up for lawmakers. However, the district judge decided that the case would stay with the ASJ’s court until the Delhi High Court rules on the jurisdiction issue.

Rashid, elected from the Baramulla constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, is facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act related to a terror-funding investigation. The case involves alleged links to terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen, and includes money laundering charges by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). (KNS)