Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir) [India]: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is conducting raids at 10 locations in Jammu as part of an ongoing investigation related to infiltration cases.
Meanwhile, the NIA has opposed Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh’s plea before the Delhi High Court, seeking interim bail or interim custody parole to attend the ongoing Parliament sessions. The NIA requested the court to reject the plea, arguing that it is not maintainable.
MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, widely known as Engineer Rashid, filed the plea to participate in the ongoing Parliament sessions, which run until April 4. The plea is scheduled for hearing tomorrow in the Delhi High Court.
The NIA filed an affidavit following the Division Bench’s order, led by Justice Prathiba M Singh, on March 12. In its affidavit, the NIA stated that the appellant’s status as a Parliamentarian does not exempt him from the consequences of being in judicial custody.
“The law is well settled that legislators/parliamentarians have no statutory right to participate in the House’s session so long as they are under lawful detention,” the NIA stated.
The agency further claimed that Engineer Rashid was attempting to misuse his parliamentary attendance to evade imprisonment, as his previous bail attempts had failed. The NIA emphasized that since many witnesses in the case are from Jammu and Kashmir, there is a risk of the appellant influencing them.
The agency also accused Engineer Rashid of “forum shopping,” describing it as an abuse of the court’s process. The Special NIA Court has scheduled its ruling on Rashid’s regular bail application for March 19.
On March 12, the Delhi High Court had asked the NIA to respond to Engineer Rashid’s plea. His earlier request for custodial parole was rejected by the Special NIA Court.
Senior Advocate N Hariharan, representing Engineer Rashid, argued that his client should be permitted to attend the ongoing Parliament sessions, emphasizing that he was previously granted two days of custody parole in February 2025.
During the hearing, the court questioned the necessity of the plea if the session would be over by the time the petition is heard.
“I represent 45 per cent of the population of Kashmir,” argued the senior advocate, emphasizing the significance of Engineer Rashid’s presence in Parliament.
Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Akshai Malik opposed the plea, arguing that the earlier custody parole was granted under different circumstances when no designated court was available.
Engineer Rashid, who is accused in a terror case investigated by the NIA, filed his petition through Advocate Vikhyat Oberoi. He continues to seek interim bail or custody parole to attend the Parliament session running from March 10 to April 4.