NEW DELHI, May 5, 2026 : In a significant relief, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday permitted Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, to meet his ailing father at AIIMS Delhi for 12 hours daily until May 10.
Modifying its earlier order granting interim bail, a bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Madhu Jain clarified that Rashid would be allowed to visit his father from 8 am to 8 pm each day, after which he must return to jail.
The court maintained strict conditions during the visits, directing that at least two plainclothes police personnel accompany Rashid, while remaining stationed outside the hospital ward. It emphasized that the purpose of the relief was to enable him to spend time with his father, who is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS Delhi.
Rejecting a plea by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to restrict Rashid’s access to a mobile phone, the bench termed such objections as “impractical.” The court allowed him to use a mobile phone during the permitted hours outside jail, noting he could also use a family member’s phone if required.
The development follows the court’s earlier interim bail order dated April 28, which had allowed Rashid to either visit his father in Srinagar or stay at home. However, after his father was shifted to Delhi for treatment, Rashid sought permission to remain in the capital.
The court declined his request to stay in a rented accommodation or his allotted MP residence, citing security concerns and lack of address verification. Instead, it limited his movement strictly between jail and the hospital under supervision.
Rashid, who has been lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019, was arrested by the NIA in connection with a 2017 terror-funding case. Charges against him include criminal conspiracy, waging war against the government, sedition, and offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The matter is currently under judicial consideration as Rashid has challenged an earlier trial court order denying him interim bail.
