New Delhi [India], July 25 – The Delhi High Court today issued notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on an interim bail plea filed by Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, widely known as Engineer Rashid. Rashid has sought interim bail to attend the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
A Division Bench comprising Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Shalinder Kaur sought a reply from the NIA and has listed the matter for further arguments and reply on July 29.
Engineer Rashid’s plea specifically challenges the Special NIA court’s order of July 22, which had rejected his request for interim bail. While the special court denied interim bail, it did grant him custody parole from July 24 to August 4, allowing him to attend Parliament during this period, subject to him bearing the associated costs and complying with other conditions.
Parliamentarian Argues Public Duty, Challenges Cost Imposition
Rashid’s current application before the High Court states that the custody parole granted is for a limited period. He has submitted that if he is not granted full interim bail, then he should be granted custody parole for the entire Monsoon Session, from July 23 to August 21. Furthermore, he has sought a direction to set aside the condition requiring him to bear the expenses for travel and other arrangements, arguing that attending Parliament is a public duty, not a personal matter.
Rashid is currently in judicial custody in connection with a terror funding case linked to Hafiz Saeed. He has been incarcerated in Tihar Jail since 2019 after his arrest by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The charges against him include criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government, sedition, and offences relating to terrorist acts and terror funding.
Represented by Senior Advocate N. Hariharan, along with Advocates Aditya Wadhwa, Vikhyat Oberoi, and Nishita Gupta, Rashid’s counsel argued before the special court that he had previously been granted interim bail by the trial court on September 10, 2024, for campaigning in the state elections, which was extended three times. This, they contended, demonstrates that he does not pose a security threat. They also highlighted that the Delhi High Court had twice allowed him to attend Parliament in custody, on February 10 and March 25 of this year, during which he participated without incident.
The NIA had opposed his interim bail plea, arguing against granting an interim order. They contended that if he were allowed to attend in custody, he should bear the travel expenses. Rashid’s counsels, however, strongly opposed paying any travel expenses, asserting that his attendance at Parliament is a constitutional obligation and a matter of public duty. On earlier occasions, Engineer Rashid was also permitted to attend Parliament sessions and take his oath.