New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the special court handling National Investigation Agency (NIA) cases to expedite the bail plea hearing of Engineer Rashid.
The Jammu and Kashmir MP was recently granted a two-day custody parole by the High Court.
On the same day, Engineer Rashid withdrew his petition from the High Court, which sought clarification on the jurisdiction of the court that should hear his bail plea. He is facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in a terror funding case.
Justice Vikas Mahajan instructed the NIA court to hear the bail plea without delay. “Patiala House Court is requested to dispose of the bail application of the petitioner expeditiously,” the bench noted.
Previously, the NIA court handling Rashid’s case refused to hear his bail plea, suggesting that the special court for MPs and MLAs should decide the matter since he is an elected MP from Jammu and Kashmir. Rashid then approached the Delhi High Court for clarification on jurisdiction.
The High Court had earlier issued an administrative order stating that the NIA court would continue hearing the case, PTI reported. Following this clarification, Rashid withdrew his petition.
Awami Itehad Party chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi explained that the petition was withdrawn as the High Court had already clarified that the trial would proceed before the same judge at the Special NIA Court in New Delhi.
Recently, the court granted Rashid a two-day custody parole to attend Parliament’s budget session, with restrictions on internet use and media interactions.
Elected from the Baramulla constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Engineer Rashid defeated People’s Conference leader Omar Abdullah.
He has been in Tihar Jail since 2019 after the NIA arrested him under UAPA in connection with a 2017 militancy funding case.
