NEW DELHI, July 25, 2025 : The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on a plea filed by jailed Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, seeking interim bail or custody parole to attend the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
A bench comprising Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Shalinder Kaur asked the NIA to file its response and listed the matter for further hearing on July 29—the same day the court is scheduled to hear Rashid’s regular bail plea in the 2017 terror funding case.
Currently lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019, Rashid was arrested by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He represents Baramulla constituency, having defeated Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Challenge to ₹1.44 Lakh Daily Travel Cost
During the hearing, Rashid’s counsel informed the court that the trial court had allowed custody parole for the MP to attend Parliament from July 24 to August 4, but only on the condition that he bear a daily travel cost of ₹1.44 lakh. Counsel argued that this condition was unreasonable, noting that Rashid has already incurred over ₹17 lakh to perform his public duty.
The petition seeks interim bail or state-borne custody parole, stating that the financial burden is denying the elected MP his constitutional right to represent his constituency in Parliament.
Background of the Case
Rashid is accused of funding separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. His name surfaced during the interrogation of co-accused businessman Zahoor Watali. He was charge-sheeted in October 2019, and in March 2022, a special NIA court framed charges under IPC Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the government), 124A (sedition), along with several provisions of the UAPA.
The case is part of a larger NIA investigation into terror financing networks operating in Jammu and Kashmir, allegedly supported by Pakistan-based entities.
