New Delhi, Feb 3, 2025 – The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has opposed the interim bail plea of jailed Jammu and Kashmir MP Engineer Rashid, who sought release to attend the ongoing budget session of Parliament. Rashid, elected from Baramulla in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has been lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019 after being arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with a 2017 terror-funding case.
The NIA argued before the Delhi High Court that Rashid’s bail request was a misuse of the interim bail provision, which should be granted only in cases of intolerable grief and suffering. Justice Vikas Mahajan is scheduled to hear the plea on February 4.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also filed a money laundering case against Rashid and others, based on the NIA’s FIR. The case involves allegations of waging war against the Indian government and funding militancy in Kashmir, allegedly linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin.
With the NIA and ED opposing his release, Rashid’s plea remains uncertain as the budget session continues until April 4.