New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has strongly opposed in the Delhi High Court the bail plea of Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, alias Engineer Rashid, in a terror-funding case. The investigating agency alleged that Rashid had tried to influence prosecution witnesses and that if he is granted bail, evidence and witnesses could be affected. After hearing arguments from both sides, the High Court reserved its order on the bail plea.
Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the NIA before the bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Vikas Mahajan, said statements of witnesses recorded so far indicate that Rashid influenced three witnesses. The agency claimed that these included two protected witnesses, who later retracted their earlier statements. The NIA also alleged that Rashid delivered anti-India speeches and supported such activities.
According to the investigating agency, Rashid had been granted interim bail to meet his ailing father, and even during that period he met some witnesses. The NIA argued that, given his influence, granting bail would not be appropriate.
Rashid’s lawyer rejected the allegations, saying he remained in custody for most of the period concerned. Among the witnesses he is accused of influencing are his driver and two personal assistants, who have been working with him for a long time. The defence sought bail, citing his long incarceration and his status as an MP.
The court had earlier noted that Rashid has been in custody for nearly seven years and that there are about 240 witnesses in the case, meaning the trial may take a long time to conclude. Rashid has been lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019. He faces terror-funding-related charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
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