New Delhi, Dec 19: A Delhi court has referred a terror-funding case involving Jammu and Kashmir MP Engineer Rashid back to the special judge handling the case to address the grievances raised by the accused. Principal District and Sessions Judge Vimal Kumar Yadav took this action after the special judge requested the transfer, noting that Rashid, now a member of Parliament, warranted a different jurisdiction.
The district judge made this ruling with the agreement of all accused and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) involved in the case. It was noted that a jurisdiction dispute is currently pending before the Delhi High Court.
The special court is set to continue its proceedings on December 20 and will hear the case until the High Court issues a final decision on jurisdiction.
Previously, both Rashid’s attorney and the NIA expressed a desire for the case to remain with the current court.
In addition to the NIA’s registered case, the special judge has also suggested that a related money laundering case and Rashid’s bail application be transferred to the court specifically designated for lawmakers.
Rashid, who won the Baramulla constituency seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has been incarcerated in Tihar Jail since 2019, following his arrest under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act stemming from a 2017 terror-funding investigation.
The cases against him include allegations involving key figures like Hafiz Saeed, head of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and Syed Salahuddin, leader of Hizbul Mujahideen. The ED has also initiated a money laundering case linked to these allegations, claiming that they conspired to instigate unrest against the government and incite violence in the Kashmir Valley. (Agencies)
