Delhi High Court Rejects Plea of Jailed MP Engineer Rashid in Terror Funding Case

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea filed by Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, a Lok Sabha MP from Baramulla, challenging the framing of charges against him in a terror funding case. The court ruled that Rashid’s appeal was not maintainable, citing a previous decision by a coordinate bench.

Engineer Rashid has been in Tihar jail since 2019 after being arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He is accused of funding separatists and terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir.

The NIA’s FIR mentioned Rashid’s involvement during the interrogation of businessman Zahoor Watali, a co-accused in the case. Subsequently, charges were framed against Rashid and others in March 2022 under various sections of the IPC and UAPA.

Despite being chargesheeted, a Delhi court has granted Rashid permission to attend the Budget Session of Parliament under custody parole, with armed police escorting him to the session.

Legal Proceedings and Allegations

The High Court bench, comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Madhu Jain, found Rashid’s appeal to be non-maintainable on merit and dismissed it accordingly. The NIA’s senior counsel highlighted a delay of 1100 days in filing the appeal, which the court did not condone.

Rashid, who defeated Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, is accused of criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government, sedition, and terror funding. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in funding terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

While the court refrained from delving into the delay aspect due to the appeal’s non-maintainability, it upheld the lower court’s decision to frame charges against Rashid based on the evidence presented.

Conclusion

Engineer Rashid’s legal battle continues as he faces serious allegations of terrorism financing. Despite being granted temporary parole to attend parliamentary proceedings, his future remains uncertain pending the outcome of the ongoing case.