New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (February 4) issued notice to its registrar general for clarification on the issue of designation of a court to hear a plea filed by Bramulla Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, seeking bail in a terror-funding case.
Justice Vikas Mahajan noted the submissions that the registrar general has filed an application before the Supreme Court to seek a clarification on the issue of designation of a court and that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had made a representation to the high court registrar general on the issue of designation of the NIA court.
What did the High Court say?
“It is deemed appropriate to issue notice to the registrar general of the court (high court) to ascertain the status as regard the administrative order and clarification on the issue. Issue notice,” Justice Mahajan said.
High Court was hearing Rashid’s plea seeking interim bail to attend Parliament
The High Court was hearing Rashid’ plea seeking interim bail to attend the ongoing Parliament session. He has sought release on interim bail or custody parole in the alternative to attend the Parliament. He has also filed a plea before the High Court seeking a direction for quick disposal of his bail plea pending before a trial court in the in the terror funding case.
What did NIA, Rashid submit?
The NIA opposed Rashid’s interim bail plea to attend the ongoing Parliament session, saying he had no such right as a parliamentarian. Rashid’s counsel submitted that he had been left in limbo and without remedy after the NIA court hearing his bail plea sent the matter back on the ground of it not being a special MP/MLA court to hear the matter since he was now a lawmaker.
The court has listed the matter for hearing on February 6.
Trial court earlier released Rashid’s bail plea
The trial court earlier reserved its verdict on Rashid’s regular bail plea after hearing arguments and later it sent the matter back to the District Judge requesting the District Judge for the transfer of the case to a court designated to try lawmakers, since Rashid was now an MP.
