The Delhi High Court on Tuesday scheduled a hearing for March 25 on a plea filed by jailed Jammu and Kashmir MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, seeking permission to attend the ongoing Parliament session.
Hearing Deferred Due To Pending Verdict
A bench comprising Justices Chandra Dhari Singh and Anup J Bhambhani postponed the hearing after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) informed the court that a trial court is set to pronounce its verdict on Rashid’s regular bail plea on March 19. Rashid’s senior counsel stated that they had received the agency’s response to the plea only on Monday evening.
Rashid Challenges Bail Denial
Rashid, who is facing trial under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in a 2017 terror funding case, has challenged the trial court’s March 10 order that denied him custody parole or interim bail to attend Lok Sabha proceedings until April 4.
NIA’s Opposition To Rashid’s Plea
In its reply filed on March 17, the NIA argued that Rashid should not be allowed to use his MP status to evade imprisonment. The agency maintained that he had no enforceable right to attend Parliament sessions while in lawful custody.
Labeling Rashid a “highly influential” individual, the NIA expressed concerns that he might influence witnesses in Jammu and Kashmir. Citing Section 43D(5) of the UAPA, the agency asserted, “The accused cannot be granted bail if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accusations against him are prima facie true.”
On March 12, the high court had sought the NIA’s stand on Rashid’s appeal. His counsel urged the court to allow him to attend Parliament under custody parole, similar to the two-day reprieve granted to him earlier. Custody parole would mean Rashid attending the session under the escort of armed police personnel.
Case Background
Rashid, an Independent MP from Baramulla who defeated former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has been lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail since 2019. He was arrested by the NIA in connection with the 2017 terror-funding case.
The NIA’s FIR states that Rashid’s name surfaced during the interrogation of businessman and co-accused Zahoor Watali. In October 2019, he was charge-sheeted, and in March 2022, a special NIA court framed charges against him under IPC Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the government), and 124A (sedition), along with charges related to terrorism and terror funding under the UAPA.
The outcome of Rashid’s bail plea, expected on March 19, is likely to influence the High Court’s decision on his request to attend Parliament.
Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International
