The Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea by jailed MP from Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Engineer Abdul Rasheed, challenging the framing of charges in a fake case.According to Kashmir Media Service, the court’s decision has raised concerns about India’s judicial fairness, particularly given Rasheed’s history of persecution and criticism of the Modi government’s policies in Kashmir.

Rasheed, who defeated Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, has been in Tihar jail since 2019, facing fake allegations of funding pro-freedom groups. The National Investigation Agency had arrested him under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and a special NIA court framed charges against him in March 2022.

Legal experts argue that the court’s decision to dismiss Rasheed’s plea without addressing the merits of the case raises questions about the judiciary’s impartiality. “The court’s decision not to consider Rasheed’s appeal on merit, citing a technicality, is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those speaking out against government policies,” said a local lawyer.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)