In a significant development, Delhi’s Patiala House Court has granted interim bail to Sheikh Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, the MP from Baramulla constituency in Jammu and Kashmir. The interim bail is effective until October 2, 2024, in connection with a 2017 terror funding case.
Rashid’s Arrest and Charges
Engineer Rashid has been held in Delhi’s Tihar Jail since 2019 after his arrest by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He was charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) as part of an investigation into alleged terror funding in Kashmir.
The NIA’s case revolves around Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, who was arrested on charges of financing separatist groups in Kashmir. Rashid’s name surfaced during the investigation, linking him to the larger terror funding network. The NIA has filed a chargesheet implicating several high-profile figures, including Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed, and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin.
High-Profile Connections
In 2022, Yasin Malik was sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to terror-related charges. Engineer Rashid, who continues to deny any involvement in the case, now has reprieve with interim bail granted until early October.
Rashid’s Political Victory in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections
Earlier this year, Engineer Rashid made headlines by defeating former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, securing a significant political victory in the 2024 elections.
