Delhi High Court Approves Two-Day Custody Parole for Engineer Rashid
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Synopsis
The Delhi High Court has granted Engineer Rashid a two-day custody parole amidst his ongoing legal issues, allowing him to attend Parliament sessions while facing serious allegations from the National Investigation Agency.
Key Takeaways
- The Delhi HC approved a two-day custody parole for Engineer Rashid.
- Rashid won from J&K while in Tihar Jail.
- Conditions imposed restrict his media interactions.
- The NIA opposes his plea for interim bail.
- Rashid seeks expedited bail decisions from the court.
New Delhi, Feb 10 (NationPress) The Delhi High Court has granted a two-day custody parole to Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid for the purpose of attending the current Parliament session. Engineer Rashid secured his Lok Sabha seat from J&K’s Baramulla constituency, defeating National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah (currently the Chief Minister) by over two lakh votes, all while incarcerated in Tihar Jail. He faces allegations related to a terror funding investigation led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
A bench presided by Justice Vikas Mahajan approved the custody parole for February 11 and 13, stipulating several conditions. According to the ruling, Engineer Rashid is prohibited from engaging with anyone outside of his limited duties in attending the House, and he is also barred from speaking to the media.
On February 7, the Justice Mahajan-led Bench reserved its decision on Rashid's request for interim bail or, alternatively, custody parole, following presentations by the federal anti-terror agency and Rashid's legal representation.
During the proceedings, senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing the NIA, stated that there are security concerns, asserting that custody parole is not an inherent right for legislators.
Engineer Rashid has filed a petition with the Delhi High Court, urging the trial court judge to hasten the decision regarding his pending regular bail application or to make the determination independently.
Previously, another court had chosen not to rule on the regular bail application, instead suggesting that the case be transferred to the MP/MLA court due to Rashid's status as an MP.
In his current plea before the Delhi HC, he has requested interim bail to participate in the ongoing Budget session of Parliament, which commenced on January 31 and is set to conclude on April 4.
If interim bail is not granted, Engineer Rashid has requested custody parole to attend the session. The NIA has opposed his interim bail request.
The Delhi High Court has sought a response from its registry regarding the appropriate court designation for Rashid's bail plea.
Following a submission from the NIA's counsel, indicating that a representation was made to the registry in November concerning the NIA court's designation for hearing cases against lawmakers, the Justice Mahajan-led Bench issued a notice to the Registrar General to clarify the situation, scheduling the matter for hearing on February 6.
During the previous week’s session, the counsel representing the Registrar General indicated that an application has been filed with the Supreme Court for clarification on court designation, adding that the issue will be brought before the Chief Justice of India for urgent attention.
Engineer Rashid was arrested by the NIA in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The ED has also initiated a money laundering case against him and others based on the NIA's FIR, which accused them of plotting against the government and inciting unrest in the Valley.
Bearing the mantle of representing the Langate Assembly constituency in J&K on two occasions, Engineer Rashid's brother, Sheikh Khurshid Ahmad, emerged victorious in the 2024 Assembly elections from Langate.
