Rashid Engineer, an MP from Baramulla, has filed an interim bail petition in the Patiala House Court. The plea seeks bail to attend the upcoming Parliament session. The court, after reviewing the petition, has issued a notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and requested a reply. The next hearing is scheduled for November 27.
Previous Bail History and Terror Funding Case
Earlier, Rashid Engineer had secured interim bail for campaigning during the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. However, the court refused to extend the bail, leading to his surrender at Tihar Jail. His regular bail plea remains pending.
Rashid Engineer, also known as Sheikh Abdul Rashid, defeated former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla. He has been in jail since 2019 following his arrest under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the 2017 terror funding case.
NIA Investigation and Key Accusations
Rashid Engineer’s name surfaced during the interrogation of Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, who was arrested for allegedly funding terrorist organizations and separatists in the Kashmir Valley. The NIA accuses Rashid of links to groups supported by Pakistan’s ISI, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
The Patiala House Court, in 2022, framed charges against Rashid and others, including Hafiz Saeed, Syed Salahuddin, and Yasin Malik. According to the NIA, these groups orchestrated attacks and violence against civilians and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.
The case continues to draw attention as it highlights allegations of cross-border funding and separatist activities tied to the All Party Hurriyat Conference, established in 1993.
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