Delhi HC seeks NIA reply on MP Rashid’s petition

The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought a response from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on a petition filed by Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, challenging a trial court’s decision to frame charges against him in a terror-funding case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

A Division Bench comprising Justice Vivek Chaudhary and Justice Shalinder Kaur called for the trial court records and listed the matter for further hearing on October 6.

Rashid’s appeal was initially heard by a coordinate bench in May, which issued notice only on the limited issue of delay in filing the petition. At that time, the bench also entertained his regular bail plea and issued notice in that matter.

In addition to contesting the framing of charges, two other petitions filed by Rashid were also heard on Thursday. One challenges the cost imposed by the trial court while granting him custody parole to attend the ongoing Parliament session from July 24 to August 4. The other seeks interim bail as an alternative to custody parole, enabling him to represent his constituency in the House.

Rashid has further requested a modification of an earlier order passed by a Division Bench on March 25, which required him to deposit Rs 4 lakh with the Tihar Jail authorities as a condition for attending Parliament.

However, the High Court observed that issues related to custody parole and the financial deposit must be heard by the same bench that passed the original order. Accordingly, both petitions were directed to be listed before a bench comprising Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, subject to the Chief Justice’s orders. The earlier bench included Justice Chandra Dhari Singh, who has since been transferred to the Allahabad High Court.

Engineer Rashid, a former legislator from Jammu and Kashmir, was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Baramulla constituency in the 2024 general elections. Despite his electoral victory, he remains incarcerated in Tihar Jail, where he has been lodged since 2019 following his arrest by the NIA in connection with an alleged terror-funding case dating back to 2017.