Delhi HC grants Engineer Rashid interim bail June 25–30 for Chehlum rituals
Synopsis
The Delhi High Court has extended Engineer Rashid's supervised freedom a second time — this round for the Chehlum, the 40th-day mourning ritual after his father's death. Despite NIA opposition, the court found the short relief reasonable, keeping intact the stringent escort and movement conditions that have governed his earlier releases.
Key Takeaways
Delhi High Court granted Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid interim bail from June 25 to June 30, 2025 .
The relief is to attend the Chehlum (40th-day mourning ceremony) of his father, scheduled for June 27 .
Rashid must surrender to Tihar Jail by June 2 when his current interim bail expires, before being re-released on June 25.
The NIA opposed the extension but the court overruled the objection, calling the short relief 'not unreasonable'.
All earlier conditions — including plainclothes police escort , movement restricted to Srinagar and Kupwara , and single mobile number — remain in force.
Rashid has been in custody for several years in a terror-funding case and has been granted custody parole on multiple prior occasions.
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday, 26 May granted Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, widely known as Engineer Rashid, a fresh spell of interim bail from June 25 to June 30 to observe the Chehlum — the 40th-day mourning ceremony — following the death of his father. The court extended the relief even as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) opposed the plea.
Court's Direction
A division bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Madhu Jain directed that Rashid, currently on interim bail until June 2, must surrender before jail authorities upon expiry of that relief and will then be released again from June 25 to June 30. The bench noted that granting a short period of relief under such circumstances would not be unreasonable.
The court further clarified that Rashid would not need to furnish a fresh personal bond or surety, provided the same had already been submitted to the satisfaction of the Jail Superintendent under the previous order. All conditions imposed in the earlier order dated 18 May will continue to apply during the extended period.
Arguments Placed Before the Court
Senior advocate N. Hariharan, appearing for Rashid, submitted that while his client had already attended the last rites, the Chehlum ceremony scheduled for June 27 is a significant religious observance for the family. He also highlighted that travel from custody to Srinagar and back to Tihar Jail would require additional time, making the June 25–30 window necessary.
Counsel for the NIA argued against the grant of further interim bail, but the court did not find the objection sufficient to deny the short relief.
Conditions of the Earlier Order
In its 18 May order — which first granted interim bail to Rashid to attend his father's funeral at AIIMS-Delhi — the court had imposed stringent conditions. These included continuous escort by at least two plainclothes police personnel, restriction of movement to his residences in Srinagar and Kupwara districts of Jammu and Kashmir, and permission to visit only the burial ground or place of worship for customary rites. Rashid was also directed to use only one mobile number, remain in contact with the Investigating Officer, and refrain from contacting witnesses or engaging in any unlawful activity. All these conditions will carry forward into the June 25–30 period.
Background: The Terror-Funding Case
Engineer Rashid has been in custody for several years in connection with a terror-funding case being investigated by the NIA. He has previously been granted custody parole on multiple occasions, including to attend sessions of Parliament after winning the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat. The fresh interim bail is the latest in a series of limited, court-supervised releases granted on humanitarian grounds.
The next significant date in the case will be Rashid's mandatory surrender on June 2, ahead of his re-release on June 25 for the Chehlum ceremony.
Point of View
Then is re-released — which reflects the court's attempt to balance custodial integrity with personal rights. The NIA's opposition, overruled twice now on similar grounds, raises a question about whether the agency has presented a concrete risk argument or is simply maintaining a pro forma objection. For a case that has already seen multiple custody paroles for parliamentary duties, the Chehlum extension is unlikely to set a new precedent, but it does reinforce that courts will not treat religious observance as a lesser ground than legislative duty.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the Delhi High Court granted Engineer Rashid interim bail again?
The Delhi High Court granted Engineer Rashid interim bail from June 25 to June 30 specifically to allow him to attend the Chehlum — the 40th-day mourning ceremony — following his father's death. The court found the short relief reasonable despite NIA opposition.
What is Chehlum and why is it significant?
Chehlum is a 40th-day mourning observance observed in Islamic tradition after a person's death. In Rashid's case, the ceremony is scheduled for June 27, and his legal team argued it is an important religious rite for the family.
What conditions apply during Engineer Rashid's interim bail?
Rashid must remain under continuous escort of at least two plainclothes police personnel, restrict his stay to residences in Srinagar and Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir, use only one mobile number, stay in contact with the Investigating Officer, and refrain from contacting witnesses or engaging in unlawful activity.
What case is Engineer Rashid facing?
Engineer Rashid — formally Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh — is facing trial in a terror-funding case being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He has been in custody for several years and has received custody parole on multiple occasions, including to attend Parliament sessions.
When must Engineer Rashid surrender before his next bail period begins?
Rashid must surrender before jail authorities by June 2, when his current interim bail expires. He will then be re-released on interim bail from June 25 to June 30 for the Chehlum ceremony.
