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Rashid's involvement emerged during the investigation of Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, who faced allegations of financing terrorist organizations and separatist activities in Kashmir. Following this, the ED filed a money laundering case based on the NIA's FIR, accusing Rashid and others of conspiring to wage war against the government and inciting unrest in Kashmir.
The Delhi High Court, on Wednesday, issued notice to the National Investigation Agency in a petition filed by Jammu and Kashmir MP Engineer Rashid, seeking permission to attend the ongoing Parliament session. The bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Rajneesh Kumar Gupta listed the matter for March 18, 2025.
The court, in the previous hearing, directed the trial court to expedite Rashid's bail application. He had filed a petition seeking clarification on the designation of the trial court in a case registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Background:
Engineer Rashid had won the Baramulla parliamentary seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, he had been in judicial custody at Tihar Jail since 2019 after his arrest by the NIA under the UAPA Act in relation to a 2017 terror-funding case.
In September 2024, Engineer Rashid was granted interim bail by the Rouse Avenue Court to campaign in the elections.
The Delhi High Court, in an order dated 11 February 2025, granted custody parole to Abdul Rashid Sheikh (Alias Engineer Rashid), an accused in the Kashmir terror funding case, to attend the upcoming Parliament budget session.
The bench of Justice Vikas Mahajan held, “Custody parole is being granted for 2 days for the duration of the session on February 11 and 13. On both days, the petition would be custody of the State with adequate police security and protection to and from the concerned location of the parliament session which shall be appropriately secured by the State in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs up to the point allowed”.
For Petitioner: Senior Advocate N. Hariharan with Advocates Vikhyat Oberoi, Aditya Wadhwa, Nishita Gupta, Shivam Prakash, Ravi Sharma, Jagriti Pandey, Punya Rekha Angara, Vasundhara N., Sana Singh, Aman Akhtar, Vinayak Gautam and Hasnain KhwajaFor Respondent: Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra, Special Public Prosecutor Akshai Malik with Advocates Ayush Aggarwal, K. Saleem, K.P. Rustom Khan and Yatharth SharmaCase Title: Abdul Rashid Sheikh v NIA (CRL.A.-299/2025)
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