The Delhi High Court on Friday called on the National Investigation Agency to respond to a plea by Sheikh Abdul Rashid, the jailed Lok Sabha MP also known as Engineer Rashid.
Rashid is seeking interim bail to participate in the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament. He is currently incarcerated in connection with a 2017 terror funding case.
Additionally, Rashid has challenged a trial court directive that requires him to pay travel costs amounting to Rs 1.44 lakh per day to attend Parliament while in custody from July 24 to August 4.
A bench led by Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Shalinder Kaur issued a notice to the NIA on the matter and scheduled the next hearing for July 29. The court will also consider Rashid’s regular bail application on that date.
Rashid’s Detention & Allegations
Sheikh Abdul Rashid, the Baramulla MP, has been held in Tihar Jail since his arrest in 2019. The NIA detained him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on charges related to terror funding. Rashid faces several grave accusations, including criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government, and sedition, in addition to offenses linked to terrorism.
According to the NIA’s First Information Report (FIR), Rashid’s involvement surfaced during the interrogation of co-accused businessman Zahoor Watali. In March 2022, a special NIA court formally framed charges against Rashid and others under IPC sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the government), 124A (sedition), as well as relevant provisions of the UAPA.
Bail Plea Highlights
During the brief hearing, Rashid’s lawyer informed the court that the MP has already been burdened with a Rs 17 lakh expense to represent his constituents in Parliament. The counsel noted that Rashid was allowed to attend Parliament previously, but now the high daily cost for travel while in custody is preventing him from fulfilling his parliamentary duties.
Rashid has requested interim bail or custody parole that would include coverage of his travel expenses. Custody parole means that he would be escorted by armed police officers to Parliament for the session. On July 22, the trial court granted Rashid custody parole from July 24 to August 4, but required him to pay the travel expenses personally. Rashid’s legal team is challenging this order as unjust and financially prohibitive.
Political Significance
Rashid, who famously defeated former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, remains embroiled in serious charges. The NIA alleges that he funded separatists and terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir, a claim that Rashid continues to contest.
The Delhi High Court’s decision during the July 29 hearing will be crucial in determining whether Engineer Rashid can attend Parliament while his case is ongoing. The outcome will have significant implications for his role as an elected representative and for the broader political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir.
(Inputs By Sambhav Sharma)
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