The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday challenged the interim bail plea of Jammu and Kashmir MP Rashid Engineer in the Delhi High Court. Engineer, who is currently incarcerated in Tihar Jail, sought bail to attend the ongoing budget session of Parliament. The NIA described his plea as a potential misuse of the provision for interim bail, which it argued should only be granted under circumstances of significant personal distress.
Justice Vikas Mahajn is set to hear Rashid’s plea on February 4. Rashid Engineer, representing the Baramulla constituency, was arrested in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act as part of a 2017 case investigating terror funding mechanisms. His arrest followed allegations of involvement in activities aimed at waging war against the government and stirring unrest in the Kashmir valley.
The case ties back to significant figures, including Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba leader Hafiz Saeed, known for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin. The NIA’s investigation also led to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filing a money laundering case against Engineer and other accused based on these allegations.
