New Delhi [India], March 12: The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) regarding the plea of Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, who has requested permission to attend the ongoing Parliament session. The court has also directed the NIA to file an affidavit if they have any objections to his request. Sheikh, an accused in a terror-related case, had earlier sought custodial parole, but his request was denied by the special NIA Court.
The Division Bench, consisting of Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Rajneesh Kumar Gupta, issued the notice to the NIA and sought their response. The matter has been scheduled for hearing on March 18.
Senior advocate N Hariharan, representing MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh (also known as Engineer Rashid), argued that his client seeks permission to attend the ongoing Parliament sessions. The advocate further pointed out that Rashid had been granted two days of custody parole previously in February 2025 to attend Parliament.
When questioned by the court about the duration of the session, the senior counsel informed that the Parliament session runs until April 4. However, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) for NIA, Akshai Malik, opposed the plea, stating that the previous order was made in a context where there was no designated court, leading to only a two-day parole being granted.
“I represent 45 percent of Kashmir’s population,” N Hariharan argued, stressing the importance of his client’s participation. The SPP for NIA requested the court to issue a notice and allow time for a response.
The bench rejected the SPP’s submissions and questioned the relevance of hearing the case once the session concludes. The court suggested that the petition could be heard if the parties were ready to argue.
Engineer Rashid Sheikh had approached the Delhi High Court after the Patiala House Court rejected his application for custody parole to attend the ongoing Parliament session. His plea for interim bail or custody parole to attend Parliament from March 10 to April 4, 2025, was dismissed by the Special NIA Court on March 10.
Advocate Vikhyat Oberoi, representing Rashid, argued that his client posed no threat and had been granted custody parole in the past with three extensions. The counsel also mentioned that Rashid had been granted interim bail previously for campaigning in Kashmir, emphasizing that security arrangements could ensure his safe participation in Parliament.