Delhi High Court Seeks NIA's Response On MP Engineer Rashid's Plea For Bail In UAPA Case

The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought response of National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a plea filed by Jammu and Kashmir MP Engineer Rashid seeking bail in a terror funding case registered under UAPA.

A division bench comprising Justice Subramonium Prasad and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar issued notice on Rashid's appeal challenging trial court order denying him bail on March 21.

“This matter has to be heard,” Justice Prasad said while listing the bail plea for hearing on July 29.

Rashid has also filed another petition challenging the trial court order framing charges against him in the case.

The counsel appearing for NIA submitted that there was a delay of 1104 days of filing of the said appeal and as per the mandate of law, a delay beyond 90 days cannot be condoned.

The counsel appearing for Rashid said that he will explain the delay and that the 90 days period as per the statute is not sacrosanct which can be condoned by the Court especially when the case concerns life and liberty of an individual.

The Court then directed NIA to file its response on the aspect of delay in filing of the appeal and listed the appeal for hearing on July 29.

Rashid was elected from the Baramulla constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and has been lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019 after the NIA arrested him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the 2017 terror-funding case.

Rashid has been in jail since 2019 after he was charged by NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in alleged terror funding case.

Title: Abdul Rashid Sheikh v. NIA