Thu Jan 23 09:17:22 UTC 2025: ## Delhi High Court Seeks NIA Response in Terror-Funding Case Against MP Rashid Engineer

**New Delhi, January 23, 2025** – The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought a response from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) regarding the bail plea of Jammu and Kashmir MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid. Rashid, the chief of the Awami Ittehad Party, was elected to Parliament in 2024 as an independent candidate, defeating former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He has been in Tihar Jail since 2019, arrested by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with a 2017 terror-funding case.

The High Court, presided over by Justice Vikas Mahajan, adjourned the hearing until January 30, directing the NIA to file its response. Rashid’s legal counsel argued that his bail plea has been pending for an excessive period in the lower court. The case has seen procedural delays, including a transfer request to a court designated to handle cases involving lawmakers. The NIA has confirmed it has requested the High Court to designate the NIA court with the powers of an MP/MLA court to handle the case.

The terror-funding case, also investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), involves alleged links to Pakistan-based terror groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. The NIA’s FIR accuses the accused of conspiring to wage war against the government and creating unrest in the Kashmir Valley.

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