Fri Dec 13 14:22:20 UTC 2024: **Hearing on MP Rashid Engineer’s Bail Plea Adjourned**
New Delhi, Dec 12, 2024 – The Patiala House Court in Delhi adjourned the hearing on the interim bail plea of Member of Parliament (MP) Rashid Engineer, accused in a terror funding case. The adjournment was due to the unavailability of Principal District and Sessions Judge Vimal Yadav. The next hearing is scheduled for December 13th.
Engineer, who recently won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, sought interim bail to attend the ongoing Parliament session. He appeared via video conferencing, pleading with the court to allow him participation, stating he was elected by the people and was prevented from attending the previous session. His bail was previously extended several times, most recently for campaigning in Jammu and Kashmir’s elections. He surrendered to Tihar Jail on October 28th.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which arrested Engineer in 2016, is reportedly opposing a transfer of the case from Patiala House Court. On November 21st, Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jeet Singh had ordered the transfer of the case to the MP-MLA court, given Engineer’s current status as a parliamentarian. The NIA’s case alleges Engineer’s involvement in a terror funding network linked to various militant organizations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen, operating with the alleged support of Pakistan’s ISI. The charges involve funding activities aimed at inciting violence and unrest in Jammu and Kashmir.
First Piper 