Jammu-Kashmir: Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid’s Interim Bail Extended Till October 12

Engineer Rashid's interim bail in a terror funding case has been extended until October 12, 2024. The NIA had previously opposed his release, citing concerns about witness tampering.

Sheikh Abdul Rashid, alias Engineer Rashid’s interim bail has been extended until October 12, 2024, by the Patiala House Court in Delhi. The Baramulla Member of Parliament (MP) was originally ordered to surrender on October 3 and return to Tihar Jail as per the previous bail conditions. Rashid, who has been in custody since 2019, was granted interim bail in connection with a terror funding case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Awami Itihad Party (AIP) chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, on Tuesday, confirmed that the party had applied for an extension in Delhi's Patiala House Court, which has now been granted. Inam expressed gratitude to the judiciary for their decision and thanked their lawyer, Vikhyat Oberoi, for his efforts in securing the extension.

The bail, initially set to expire on October 2, was approved to allow him to participate in campaigning for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Rashid following an investigation into Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, who is accused of financing terrorist groups and separatist movements in the Kashmir Valley. The NIA had raised concerns over Rashid's bail plea, arguing that he may influence witnesses and tamper with evidence, potentially obstructing justice. 

The investigation agency asserted there are reasonable grounds to believe that the allegations against Rashid are prima facie valid. The NIA's case references the 2017 case involving Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, the Amir of Jamaat-ud-Dawah, along with secessionist leaders from the Hurriyat Conference. They are alleged to have collaborated with militants from groups such as Hizbul Mujahideen, Dukhtaran-e-Millat, and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to raise funds for separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rashid won the Lok Sabha election from Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla constituency, defeating his nearest rival, former chief minister Omar Abdullah of the National Conference (NC), by over 205,000 votes. His party, the AIP, is contesting in the J&K assembly elections. Rashid has previously served two terms as an MLA for the Langate Assembly constituency in north Kashmir.

No Party Will Win More Than 25 Seats In Jammu-Kashmir Election: Engineer Rashid

Amid the third phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, AIP President Engineer Rashid predicted that no party would cross the majority mark.

He told news agency ANI, "No party will win more than 25 seats...J&K is a special state, but it has become a hub of conspiracies...The vision for the upliftment of Kashmiris is very important...If I would have got one more week to campaign we would have won 35-40 seats. Still, the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) will emerge as a credible alternative."

Polling in the 40 assembly segments across seven districts, including the winter capital Jammu, commenced at 7 am and concluded at 6 pm, with votes set to be counted on October 8.