Delhi HC issues notice to NIA on jailed J&K MP Engineer Rashid’s plea to attend Parliament session

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Wednesday issued a notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on a plea by jailed Jammu and Kashmir MP Engineer Rashid seeking permission to attend the ongoing Parliament session.

This comes after a Delhi court on Monday rejected Rashid’s custody parole request to attend the upcoming session. Additional sessions judge Chander Jit Singh dismissed the plea and scheduled the order on his regular bail application for March 19. A detailed order is awaited.

On March 3, the court had asked the NIA to respond to the plea before reserving its verdict after hearing arguments. The application, filed by Rashid’s lawyer Vikhyat Oberoi on February 27, argued that as an elected parliamentarian, he should be allowed to fulfill his legislative duties.

Rashid’s lawyer, Vikhyat Oberoi filed the application on February 27 arguing that as an elected parliamentarian, he should be allowed to fulfill his legislative duties.

Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid has been in Tihar Jail since 2019 after his arrest under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in a 2017 terror funding case.

His name emerged during the NIA’s investigation into Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, who was accused of financing terrorist groups and separatists in Kashmir. The case also includes Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin. Malik was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2022 after pleading guilty.

Rashid’s regular bail plea remains pending, with the Delhi high court directing the sessions judge on February 24 to expedite the decision.

Rashid won the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Baramulla, defeating former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah. The second part of Parliament’s Budget session is scheduled from March 10 to April 4.

Earlier, on September 10, the court had granted Rashid interim bail to campaign for the J&K Assembly elections. He surrendered before Tihar Jail on October 27. The elections, held in three phases from September 18 to October 1, saw the National Conference-Congress alliance securing a majority with 48 seats in the 90-member Assembly.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi Day wishes, messages and quotes !