New Delhi, July 31, 2025 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought the National Investigation Agency (NIA)‘s response on a plea filed by Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, challenging the framing of charges against him in a 2017 terror funding case.
A division bench comprising Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Shalinder Kaur issued notice to the NIA and directed the agency to file its reply. The court also summoned the trial court records and listed the matter for further hearing on October 6.
Rashid’s regular bail plea also remains pending before the high court. Earlier, the court had issued notice only on the delay—nearly 1,100 days—in filing his petition against the framing of charges.
Additionally, Rashid had moved a plea challenging a trial court order directing him to pay ₹1.44 lakh per day for travel expenses while attending Parliament sessions in custody from July 24 to August 4. He also sought interim bail on this ground.
The division bench observed that these matters should be heard by the same bench that earlier dealt with a similar plea during the Budget Session. Accordingly, the pleas will now be listed before a bench comprising Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, subject to orders of the division bench.
On March 25, a bench had directed Rashid to deposit ₹4 lakh with prison authorities for travel to attend the Budget session “in custody.” Rashid has been lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019 following his arrest by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The Baramulla MP, who defeated Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has denied all charges. His bail appeal argues that he has been in custody for over five years and that the trial is unlikely to conclude soon.
Rashid claims the allegations are politically motivated and that he has never supported secessionist or terrorist activities.
“As a mainstream political leader elected twice as MLA and now as MP, I have always stood against separatist ideology,” his plea states.
The appeal also argues that criticism of government policies or judicial decisions—such as his comments on Afzal Guru’s execution—cannot be interpreted as support for terrorism.
Rashid further requested bail to attend ongoing Lok Sabha sessions, citing his responsibility to represent nearly 45% of Kashmir valley’s population and act as a bridge between Parliament and his constituents.
According to the NIA’s chargesheet, Rashid’s name surfaced during the interrogation of businessman Zahoor Watali, a co-accused. He was chargesheeted in October 2019, and a special NIA court framed charges in March 2022 under multiple IPC sections—including criminal conspiracy (120B), waging war (121), sedition (124A)—as well as relevant UAPA provisions for terror funding.
