 |
|
The article delves into the ongoing case against Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, who was granted interim bail to campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had accused Rashid of involvement in terror funding and separatist activities, leading to his arrest in 2019, shortly after the abrogation of Article 370 and the removal of J&K’s special status.
The NIA’s case against Rashid stemmed from their investigation into alleged funding received by secessionist and separatist leaders from hawala channels, allegedly in connivance with militant organizations like Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Dukhtaran-e-Millat, and Lashkar-e-Taiba. While Rashid was not initially named in the case, he was later added as an accused in a supplementary chargesheet filed in 2019. The NIA presented evidence including an email allegedly sent to Yasin Malik requesting a packet be handed to “Shaikh Rasheed Sahib,” a Facebook post where Rashid supposedly defended Hafiz Saeed, and testimony from protected witnesses highlighting Rashid’s alleged close ties to Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali, who the NIA claims was a conduit for Pakistani funds to secessionist elements.
Rashid has vehemently denied the allegations, claiming that the evidence presented by the NIA is weak and insufficient. He has pointed out that the “Shaikh Rasheed Sahib” mentioned in the email is not him, and that the NIA has only produced an old Facebook post and statements from protected witnesses. Furthermore, he has highlighted that he has already been discharged under certain sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) relating to being part of a terrorist organization and providing support to it. Rashid has also cited judgments in other cases to draw attention to the lengthy period he has been in custody while the case proceeds slowly.
The article highlights the complexities of the case against Engineer Rashid, showcasing the clash between the NIA’s accusations and Rashid’s denials. The ongoing legal proceedings, including the recent granting of bail, will continue to shape the narrative surrounding this case and its impact on the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir.
Source: MP Engineer Rashid gets bail: What was the NIA’s ‘terror’ case against him?