New Delhi, Jul 22: Member of Parliament from Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, has been granted custody parole by a Delhi Court to participate in the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The court, however, turned down his application for interim bail.
The Patiala House Court passed the order on Tuesday, allowing Er Rashid to attend the Lok Sabha proceedings from July 24 to August 4 under police escort.
Court stated that the custody parole would be applicable for all future parliamentary sessions, subject to conditions, including payment of travel-related expenses.
The plea was heard earlier this month, and the court reserved its verdict on July 15. Rashid’s lawyer, Vikhyat Oberoi, argued for interim bail to allow his client to represent his constituency.
In the alternative, he requested custody parole without financial conditions, saying Rashid should not be required to bear the travel expenses.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) objected to the bail plea. The agency said that interim bail should not be approved in the current case and insisted that custody parole could only be granted if all associated costs were covered.
Rashid has been in judicial custody since 2019, after his arrest by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The case against him is linked to an alleged 2017 funding network that supported separatist groups and armed outfits in Jammu and Kashmir.
His name was mentioned in the course of an investigation involving businessman Zahoor Watali, who was also arrested in the same case. The NIA claims that Rashid played a role in channeling funds to groups involved in activities against the state.
Formal charges were filed against Rashid and others in October 2019. In March 2022, a special NIA court framed charges under the Indian Penal Code sections related to conspiracy, waging war, and sedition, along with provisions of the UAPA.
Rashid, an independent candidate, won the Baramulla seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, defeating National Conference leader Omar Abdullah. Despite being in prison, Rashid secured a significant margin of votes.(KNO)
