New Delhi, Feb 20: The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the NIA whether Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid’s movement could be restricted to a specific geographical area if he were granted bail in a terror funding case.
Hearing Rashid’s plea, a bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Madhu Jain sought the agency’s response on imposing location limits, noting his status as a parliamentarian. The NIA opposed bail but agreed to take instructions on the court’s query. The matter is listed next on March 11.
Rashid’s senior counsel said he has spent over six-and-a-half years in custody since 2019 and was granted interim bail twice without any violation. The apprehension that he might influence witnesses if released was unfounded, counsel argued, adding Rashid had earlier been allowed to attend Parliament in custody. The lawyer also noted the NIA had reduced its witness list from 378 to 248 and that the trial would take substantial time, warranting bail.
The appeal challenges a 2025 trial court order rejecting his second regular bail plea. Arrested by the NIA in the 2017 terror funding case, Rashid is lodged in Tihar jail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Charges were framed in March 2022 under IPC Sections 120B, 121 and 124A, along with UAPA offences.
His plea asserts the allegations are baseless and highlights his electoral record as MLA and MP, claiming prolonged incarceration and trial delay justify bail. Rashid also sought relief to attend Lok Sabha sessions, saying he represents 45% of the Kashmir Valley and serves as a bridge between Parliament and his constituency. He defeated Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. (Agencies)
