NEW DELHI: A Delhi court will deliver its order on March 21 regarding the bail plea of jailed Jammu and Kashmir MP Engineer Rashid in a terror funding case. Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh, who was set to announce the order on Wednesday, postponed the pronouncement.
On September 10, the judge granted interim bail to Sheikh Abdul Rashid, allowing him to campaign for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. The court later extended his interim bail until October 28 due to his father’s health.
Rashid has been in Tihar Jail since 2019 following his arrest by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with a 2017 terror funding case.
The NIA has accused Rashid of promoting separatism. It also alleged that he is engaging in “forum shopping” by seeking custody parole while his regular bail plea awaits a verdict on March 19.
Rashid had challenged a Patiala House court’s March 10 order denying him custody parole. He argued that he represents Baramulla, home to 45 percent of Jammu and Kashmir’s population. However, the NIA maintains that attending Parliament is not a valid reason for relief.
In an affidavit filed on Monday, the NIA asserted that being a parliamentarian does not exempt Rashid from judicial custody, as lawmakers have no statutory right to attend sessions while under lawful detention.
