Court Set to Hear Engineer Rashid’s Plea for Oath Ceremony Bail

A Delhi court will hear arguments on June 18 for Engineer Rashid's interim bail plea in relation to the 2016 Jammu and Kashmir terror funding case. Rashid seeks bail to take his oath as an MP after defeating Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He’s currently held under UAPA in Tihar jail.

A Delhi court has scheduled June 18 to hear arguments on Engineer Rashid's interim bail application related to the 2016 Jammu and Kashmir terror funding case. Rashid, who was recently elected as an MP after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, seeks to take his oath.

Rashid, who defeated former chief minister Omar Abdullah from the Baramulla constituency, contested as an Independent candidate to triumph over the National Conference (NC) vice president. He is also a former MLA of the Union Territory.

Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh set the date after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) requested more time to respond to Rashid's application. On June 7, the NIA stated the notification for the oath of newly elected MPs was not yet published.

The judge postponed the matter, noting that Rashid could request expedited proceedings if the notification comes before the next hearing date.

Rashid has been jailed since 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) related to the terror funding allegations. He currently resides in Tihar jail. His name emerged during the investigation of Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, who was apprehended for allegedly funding terrorist groups.

The NIA charged multiple individuals, including Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin. Malik received a life imprisonment sentence in 2022 after admitting guilt.