Terror funding case: NIA opposes Engineer Rashid’s regular bail plea
New Delhi: Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid could face increased difficulties in the terror funding case. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday opposed his regular bail petition in the Delhi High Court, saying he was not entitled to bail. The investigating agency alleged that Rashid had tried to influence witnesses in the case and that at least two protected witnesses had turned hostile.
Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the NIA, argued before the bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Vikas Mahajan that the statements of witnesses recorded so far indicate influence over three witnesses. The agency also alleged that Rashid supported anti-India activities and had met some witnesses during the interim bail granted to him to meet his ailing father.
Rashid’s lawyer, however, described the allegations as baseless. The defence said Rashid was in custody for most of the relevant period. Among the witnesses he is accused of influencing are one of his drivers and two personal assistants, who have been working with him for a long time.
During the hearing, the court also took note that Rashid has been in custody for nearly seven years and that there are a total of 240 witnesses in the case. The trial may take a long time to conclude.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the High Court reserved its order on the bail petition. Rashid has been lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019. He faces allegations in the 2017 terror funding case of providing funds for separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. At present, the trial on these allegations is continuing and the court’s final decision on bail is awaited.
Hashtags: #DelhiState #Delhi #TerrorFunding #NIA #EngineerRashid #Bail #TerrorFundingCase #DelhiHighCourt #TiharJail #NIAOpposesEngineerRashid
