Delhi HC Official Writes to SC Over J&K MP Rashid's Bail Plea

The issue arose after a NIA court said it couldn't hear the bail plea of the MP, facing terror charges, as it lacked jurisdiction

- Press Trust of India & HTC

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court registrar general has written to the Supreme Court over the issue of jurisdiction of the court which should ideally hear jailed J&K MP Engineer Rashid's bail plea in a NIA case.

Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing the NIA, informed Justice Vikas Mahajan that the senior high court official sought the Supreme Court's indulgence over the issue of jurisdiction. The issue arose after a NIA court said it couldn't hear the bail plea of the jailed MP, facing terror charges, as it lacked jurisdiction.

On the other hand, the statute doesn't allow courts designated to try MPs and MLAs to hear cases probed by the National Investigation Agency.

Justice Mahajan issued notice to its registrar general on the issue after Rashid said he was left without any remedy after the NIA court dealing with his bail application "left him in a limbo" post his election to the Lok Sabha last year saying it wasn't a special MP/MLA court.

NIA opposes his interim bail plea

Luthra opposed Rashid's plea for interim bail to attend the ongoing Parliament session, arguing he had no such "right" as a parliamentarian.