New Delhi, Nov 27 (KNS): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) informed a Delhi court that it is writing to the Delhi High Court, requesting that the power of the MP/MLA court be designated to the Special NIA Court. This would allow the court to hear the case involving Engineer Shiekh Abdul Rashid, an MP, who is an accused in the Jammu and Kashmir terror funding case.

Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing the NIA, told the Patiala House Court that the agency is awaiting a response from the High Court, which could take up to 10 days. The court, led by Principal District and Sessions Judge Vimal Kumar Yadav, scheduled the next hearing for December 6.

The NIA argued that the special court for MPs/MLAs should not handle the case, as it could delay the trial. The agency also emphasized that it has the authority under the NIA Act to investigate cases registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelMeanwhile, Engineer Rashid’s lawyer, Advocate Vikhyat Oberoi, requested that the court issue a formal notice regarding his client's interim bail plea, which remains pending.

Rashid, an Independent MP from Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, is currently in Tihar Jail after his interim bail expired. He was arrested in 2019 and is charged with involvement in a terror funding conspiracy that allegedly involved groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Jaish-e-Mohammed, among others. The NIA claims that these groups, with the support of Pakistan’s ISI, funded separatist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

The NIA Court has previously recommended transferring the case to a special MP/MLA court, citing Rashid’s current position as a member of parliament. (KNS)