New Delhi: A city court is likely to consider on November 20 whether the alleged terror funding case against Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, Member of Parliament (MP) from Baramulla, be transferred to the designated MP/MLA court in view of him being a lawmaker now.
Rashid, who is currently lodged in judicial custody in Tihar Jail in the alleged terror funding case, contested the Lok Sabha election from the Baramulla parliamentary seat from Tihar Jail and defeated his nearest rival Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The judge on Wednesday adjourned the matter after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) sought time from the court to argue on the matter, news agency PTI reported.
Judge earlier noted that Rashid’s case could go to MP/MLA court in view of him being a lawmaker now
Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh had earlier noted that the case involving Rashid could go to a special court meant to try lawmakers, as he is an MP now.
Court earlier reserved its verdict on Rashid’s regular bail plea
The judge had earlier reserved its order on a regular bail plea filed Rashid, saying he would first consider the issue of jurisdiction and whether or not to transfer the case to a special court meant to try lawmakers.
The judge had posted the order on Rashid’s regular bail plea on November 19.
“Since we are considering the jurisdiction issue whether the matter will be heard by this court or the designated MP/MLA court of National Investigation Agency (NIA), keep it (bail order) post that,” the court had said.
Court earlier granted Rashid interim bail to enable him to campaign in Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections
The court had earlier granted Rashid, who is the chief of the Awami Ittihaad Party, interim bail from September 10 to October 2 in the terror funding case to enable him to campaign in the recently-concluded Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. The court had later extended his interim bail on the ground of health condition of his father and had directed him to surrender before the jail authorities by October 28. He surrendered before the Tihar Jail authorities on October 28.
