A Delhi court on Wednesday asked the National Investigation Agency to file a reply regarding the bail plea of jailed Kashmiri lawmaker Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid.
He was elected MP from Baramulla in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections after defeating former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Rashid, however, has been in jail since 2019.
Rashid was arrested by the NIA in connection with a 2017 terror funding case in Jammu and Kashmir.
The NIA charged him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, making him a notable figure in the ongoing investigation.
His name came up during the probe involving Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, who was arrested for allegedly funding terror groups and separatists in the Kashmir Valley.
The court of ASJ Chander Jit Singh has issued a notice to the NIA in which directions have been given to file the response by August 28.
Earlier, the court had granted Rashid parole to take the oath of office on July 5.
Rashid is currently lodged in Tihar Jail.
The decision on his bail plea is pending as the court awaits the response of the NIA.
If granted bail, Rashid’s presence will energise his party's cadre and boost its prospects in North Kashmir, where his influence was evident during the recent Lok Sabha elections.
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