Delhi HC grants interim bail to Engineer Rashid till June 2 for father's last rites
Synopsis
A jailed MP, an NIA terror-funding case, and a father's death at midnight — the Delhi High Court moved swiftly on Monday to grant Engineer Rashid a tightly supervised interim bail until 2 June, covering funeral prayers, a mourning period, and seventh-day rites. The conditions — plainclothes escort, residence restrictions, a single active phone — underscore how closely courts are managing his liberty even in grief.
Key Takeaways
The Delhi High Court granted interim bail to Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid on 18 May 2025 , valid until 2 June 2025 .
His father passed away at AIIMS-Delhi at approximately 12:10 a.m. on Monday; the NIA verified the death before the court allowed the plea.
Rashid must be accompanied by at least two plainclothes police personnel at all times and may stay only at his residences in Srinagar and Kupwara .
The bail covers funeral prayers, burial, a four-day mourning period , and seventh-day prayers .
He must use only one mobile number , avoid witness contact, and surrender to the Jail Superintendent on 2 June .
Rashid faces trial in a terror funding case and had previously been granted custody parole to attend Parliament sessions.
The Delhi High Court on Monday, 18 May granted interim bail to jailed Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, until 2 June to allow him to attend his father's funeral and perform customary last rites. His father passed away at AIIMS-Delhi in the early hours of the day, around 12:10 a.m.
Court's Order and Conditions
A division bench comprising Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Madhu Jain allowed the plea after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) verified the death. The bench directed that Rashid be released subject to stringent conditions, including continuous police escort and strict restrictions on his movement and interactions throughout the bail period.
The court ordered that the MP remain accompanied by at least two plainclothes police personnel at all times from the moment of his release until his return to custody. He is permitted to stay only at his residences in Srinagar and Kupwara districts of Jammu and Kashmir, and may visit a burial ground or place of worship strictly for the purpose of performing last rites.
'Apart from the said venues, the appellant shall not be permitted to move anywhere else,' the court's order stated. Any meeting with persons other than immediate family members must take place in the presence of two police officials.
Rituals Covered Under the Bail Period
The Delhi High Court noted that Rashid would need to carry out several religious observances, including funeral prayers and burial on 18 May, a four-day mourning period, and subsequent ceremonies such as seventh-day prayers and other customary rites. The bail period extending to 2 June accounts for this full cycle of observances.
The court also reiterated conditions requiring Rashid to use only one mobile number, keep it active at all times, refrain from contacting witnesses, and abstain from any unlawful activity. 'Immediately, upon expiry of the bail period, the appellant shall surrender before the concerned Jail Superintendent,' the order added.
Background: Terror Funding Case and Earlier Relief
Engineer Rashid has remained in custody in connection with a terror funding case being tried before a designated court. He had earlier been granted custody parole on multiple occasions, including to attend Parliament sessions after winning the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat.
Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court had modified a previous interim bail order to permit Rashid to visit his ailing father at AIIMS-Delhi from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until 10 May under police escort, after his counsel submitted that his father's condition had deteriorated and he had been shifted from Srinagar to Delhi for treatment. The fresh application for funeral-related bail was necessitated after a trial court had rejected a similar plea.
What Happens Next
Rashid is required to surrender before the concerned Jail Superintendent on 2 June 2025 upon expiry of the interim bail. The terror funding case proceedings before the trial court are expected to resume thereafter. The NIA continues to oversee compliance with the bail conditions during this period.
Point of View
And mandating plainclothes escort even to a burial ground, signals that courts are unwilling to let the humanitarian window become a security gap. What this case continues to highlight is a structural tension in Indian law: an elected representative remains constitutionally entitled to his seat while facing a terror-funding trial, yet his liberty is parcelled out in supervised, time-bound increments. That contradiction has not been resolved — only managed, grief and all.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Engineer Rashid granted interim bail by the Delhi High Court?
The Delhi High Court granted Engineer Rashid interim bail until 2 June 2025 to allow him to attend his father's funeral and perform customary last rites after his father died at AIIMS-Delhi in the early hours of 18 May. The NIA verified the death before the court allowed the plea.
What are the conditions attached to Engineer Rashid's interim bail?
Rashid must remain accompanied by at least two plainclothes police personnel at all times, stay only at his residences in Srinagar and Kupwara, and visit only burial grounds or places of worship for last rites. He must use one mobile number, avoid contacting witnesses, and surrender to the Jail Superintendent on 2 June 2025.
What case is Engineer Rashid facing trial in?
Engineer Rashid, the Baramulla MP, is facing trial in a terror funding case being heard before a designated court. He has remained in custody through most of the proceedings and has been granted custody parole on select occasions, including to attend Parliament sessions.
Which rituals does the interim bail period cover?
The bail period covers funeral prayers and burial on 18 May, a four-day mourning period, and subsequent observances including seventh-day prayers and other customary religious ceremonies, with the bail valid until 2 June 2025.
Had Engineer Rashid sought bail to visit his father earlier?
Yes. Earlier in May, the Delhi High Court had permitted Rashid to visit his ailing father at AIIMS-Delhi from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until 10 May under police escort, after his father's condition deteriorated and he was shifted from Srinagar to Delhi. A trial court had rejected his initial plea for interim bail to visit his ailing father.
