New Delhi
September 4On Wednesday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) opposed Rashid Engineer’s bail plea in the UAPA case. The NIA argued that Rashid’s role as a Member of Parliament could lead to misuse of power, such as influencing witnesses and obstructing justice. A confidential report was cited by the NIA, which revealed that Rashid had previously abused phone privileges while in Tihar Central Jail, resulting in restrictions on his calls. Concerns were raised that similar misuse could occur if bail was granted.
The NIA also noted that Rashid had defended Hafiz Saeed’s terrorism as a ‘political cause,’ suggesting links to extremist views. According to the NIA, Rashid is alleged to be part of a scheme by Pakistani and secessionist groups to frame terrorist acts as political struggles, aiming to incite separatism in Jammu and Kashmir. Due to these concerns, the NIA urged the Patiala House Court in Delhi to deny Rashid’s bail application.
The Patiala House Court has reserved its decision on Rashid Engineer’s bail plea related to a 2017 Jammu and Kashmir terror funding case. Rashid, who won the Baramulla seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, is seeking bail as his case continues. The court, led by Additional Sessions Judge Chanderjit Singh, will announce its decision on September 4.
Rashid was arrested in connection with the 2017 case and was granted a two-hour parole in July to take his oath as a Member of Parliament. He was also arrested in 2005 for alleged support of terrorists, but charges were later dropped. In August 2019, Rashid was arrested again under UAPA and won the 2024 elections from jail.
