The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on a plea filed by Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh challenging the framing of charges against him in a terror funding case.

Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, has been in custody since 2019 after his arrest under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

A Division Bench of Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Shalinder Kaur directed the NIA to file its response and also called for the trial court records. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on October 6.

The High Court is simultaneously considering multiple petitions by Rashid, including a regular bail plea and a challenge to a trial court directive requiring him to pay ₹1.44 lakh per day for being escorted to Parliament in custody between July 24 and August 4. He has also sought interim bail to attend Lok Sabha sessions.

The Division Bench opined that these petitions should be listed before Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, who had earlier heard similar pleas during the Budget session. In March, a Bench comprising Justices Chandra Dhari Singh and Bhambhani had asked Rashid to deposit ₹4 lakh with Tihar Jail authorities to facilitate his escorted travel to Parliament.

Rashid, who defeated National Conference leader Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla, has argued that he has already spent over five years in custody, with no end to trial in sight, thereby entitling him to bail.

He claims the allegations are baseless and politically motivated. “The appellant is a mainstream political leader… He became a target of those who preach separatism, branding him a traitor,” the plea stated.

He also submitted that critical remarks on the hanging of Afzal Guru cannot be construed as involvement in terrorism. “A political comment disapproving of a government measure or court judgment does not amount to associating with terrorism,” he contended.

Rashid emphasized that his presence in Parliament is crucial, as he represents over 45% of the Kashmir valley. “He has been assigned the role of acting as a bridge between the people of his constituency and Parliament,” the plea added.

Rashid was arrested by the NIA in connection with its 2017 terror funding case. His name surfaced during the interrogation of co-accused businessman Zahoor Watali. The NIA alleged that Rashid had financed separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu & Kashmir.

He was charge-sheeted in October 2019, and in March 2022, a special NIA court framed charges under IPC Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the government), 124A (sedition), and various sections of the UAPA.