Delhi High Court Seeks NIA Reply on Engineer Rashid's Bail Plea in Terror Funding Case

New Delhi, May 15 — The Delhi High Court notified the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday, seeking its response to the bail plea filed by Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, who is facing trial in a terror funding case.

A division bench comprising Justices Subramonium Prasad and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar also asked the NIA to respond to Rashid's separate plea challenging the framing of charges in the 2017 case.

Rashid Seeks Bail Over Delay in Trial​

Engineer Rashid, currently lodged in Tihar Jail since his 2019 arrest under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), moved the High Court after a trial court rejected his second regular bail plea on March 21. In his appeal, he cited over five years of incarceration, a significant delay in the trial proceedings, and the inability to discharge his duties as a newly elected Lok Sabha member.

The plea argued that such delay justifies bail and emphasized that Rashid, a mainstream political figure twice elected as an MLA and now as an MP, has been wrongfully implicated. It stated that his political stance, including comments on the hanging of Afzal Guru, was being mischaracterized as support for terrorism.

NIA Contests Maintainability of Plea Against Charges​

The NIA's counsel told the court it would file a formal reply but raised objections over the maintainability of Rashid’s plea against the framing of charges, citing a delay of nearly 1,100 days. However, the bench clarified that the agency’s response should only focus on the delay.

Rashid's legal team countered that the 90-day timeframe for appealing against charges should not be considered rigid in matters involving personal liberty.

Allegations by NIA​

According to the NIA, Rashid is accused of raising and receiving funds through illegal channels to finance separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The agency claims he promoted separatist ideologies from public platforms, incited violence, and played a role in stone-pelting incidents, arson, and waging war against the state.

His alleged involvement came to light during the interrogation of businessman Zahoor Watali, a co-accused in the case.

Charges Framed Under Multiple Offences​

In October 2019, Rashid was charged, and by March 2022, a special NIA court had framed charges against him. These included criminal conspiracy (Section 120B), waging war against the government (Section 121), sedition (Section 124A) under the Indian Penal Code, and various offences under the UAPA related to terrorist acts and funding.

Next Hearing on July 29​

The Delhi High Court has listed the matter for further hearing on July 29. Rashid’s plea reiterated his role as a representative of nearly 45 percent of the Kashmir Valley and stressed that his presence in Parliament is crucial for fulfilling his constitutional duties.