NEW DELHI: Independent MP from Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, Engineer Rashid, surrendered at Tihar Jail on Monday following the expiration of his interim bail in a terror funding case.
The Patiala House Court, which was set to pronounce its order on his regular bail plea, on Monday postponed the decision to November 19. The delay follows a jurisdictional question over whether Rashid’s case should be transferred to a special court designated for lawmakers.
Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh, presiding over the case, said that jurisdiction would be assessed on November 13 to determine if the matter should be handled by the MP/MLA court specifically designated for NIA cases involving public representatives. “Since we are considering the jurisdiction issue, whether the matter will be heard by this court or the designated MP/MLA court of NIA, the bail order will be addressed post that,” the judge noted.
Rashid was initially granted interim bail on September 10 to participate in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. His bail was subsequently extended to October 28 due to his father’s ailing health, with the NIA not opposing the extension after verifying medical documents.
Rashid 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.
Elections to the 90-member J-K Assembly were held in three phases between September 18 and October 1.
The results were declared on October 8 in which the National Conference-Congress alliance attained a majority with 48 seats.
