A Delhi court on Friday rejected the bail plea of Engineer Rashid, a sitting Lok Sabha MP from Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla, in a high-profile terror funding case that has been under investigation since 2017. The court presided over by Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh, upheld the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) arguments, stating that Rashid's parliamentary status could not exempt him from the legal consequences of his imprisonment or be used to bypass the judicial process.
Rashid, who first rose to prominence as an independent legislator from Langate, has been incarcerated in Tihar jail since 2019 following his arrest under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). His arrest was part of a broader crackdown on alleged terror financing networks in Kashmir, aimed at dismantling the financial channels supporting separatist activities and militant groups.
The MP sought interim bail or custody parole to participate in ongoing Lok Sabha proceedings until April 4, arguing that his constituents were being deprived of representation in Parliament. However, his request was first denied on March 10, and his subsequent appeal was dismissed on March 17. The NIA countered that Rashid had "no enforceable right" to attend Parliament while in judicial custody, asserting that allowing him temporary freedom would undermine the severity of the charges.
The case ties Rashid to Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, accused of acting as a conduit for transferring funds from Pakistan to separatist leaders and militant organizations. Watali was arrested on allegations of facilitating financial support to figures like Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin — both designated global terrorists. The NIA's chargesheet also included Yasin Malik, the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader, who pleaded guilty to terror-related charges and was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2022.
The investigation suggests that funds routed through Watali were allegedly used to orchestrate street protests, fuel unrest, and finance militant activities in the Kashmir Valley between 2016 and 2017 — a period marked by widespread violence following the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani. Rashid’s name reportedly emerged in intercepted communications and financial trails, linking him to these networks, though he maintains his innocence and claims he is being targeted for his political views.
The NIA stressed that Rashid’s position as an elected MP does not place him above the law. The agency argued that granting him bail or parole would set a dangerous precedent, allowing individuals facing severe terrorism charges to misuse their political status for legal leniency.
The court agreed, emphasizing that Rashid's detention was based on serious accusations supported by evidence presented during the investigation. It reiterated that the legal process must proceed without political interference or special concessions, dismissing his bail application and ensuring his continued custody as the trial advances.
The case remains a focal point in the broader debate over Kashmir’s complex political landscape, terrorism, and the role of separatist leaders. Rashid’s supporters argue that his arrest is politically motivated, while others see it as a necessary step in dismantling terror networks operating in the region. The coming months are expected to see more legal battles as the prosecution presents further evidence in court.
