Delhi’s special NIA court has granted interim bail to parliamentarian Rashid Engineer in connection with a terror funding case, allowing him to campaign for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections.
The bail is valid until October 2, 2024, after which he must surrender on October 3. His regular bail application is still pending, with a decision expected on September 11.
Rashid Engineer’s legal team argued that the interim bail is necessary for him to fulfill his duties as a parliamentarian and participate in the election campaign. The National Investigation Agency, however, opposed his regular bail, expressing concerns that he could misuse his position to influence witnesses and obstruct justice.
The agency also highlighted past allegations, including his defense of 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed and misuse of telephone privileges while in Tihar Jail.
Rashid Engineer was first arrested in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) but continued his political career, recently winning the Baramulla seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections while still in jail.
