The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted one week of interim bail to Baramulla Member of Parliament (MP) Abdul Rashid Sheikh, popularly known as Rashid Engineer, to visit and attend to his ailing father.
Rashid, who has been in custody for over six years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), was granted relief by a bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Madhu Jain. The court underscored his status as a sitting MP and his previous history of bail compliance while imposing strict conditions to ensure he does not interfere with the ongoing trial.
Abdul Rashid Sheikh was arrested in 2019 in connection with a terror-funding case investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The NIA’s charge sheet alleges that various individuals used illicit funds to fuel separatism and unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, collaborating with organizations like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Pakistan’s ISI.
The current appeal in the High Court challenged a trial court order dated April 24, which had denied Rashid bail. The trial court had expressed concerns over allegations that the MP had attempted to influence witnesses, including a protected witness, during a previous period of release.
Appearing for Rashid, senior advocate N. Hariharan and advocate Vikhyat Oberoi argued that the allegations regarding witness intimidation were “unfounded.” They emphasized the humanitarian aspect of the plea, citing the deteriorating medical condition of Rashid’s father as a primary justification for the temporary release.
The NIA, represented by senior advocate Siddharth Luthra and special counsel Akshai Malik, strongly opposed the plea. Luthra contended that there was material evidence indicating attempts to influence witnesses. He pointed out that one witness had already turned hostile and leveled allegations against the agency, raising a “risk of interference” with the trial if unconditional bail were granted.
After reviewing the records, the High Court observed that Rashid had previously been granted 48 days of bail and is a serving member of the Lok Sabha. The bench deemed it a “fit case” for interim relief but established a high-security protocol for the duration of his release.
“After going through the record and considering the facts, this court is of the opinion that this is a fit case for grant of interim bail for 1 week,” the bench noted.
To address the NIA’s concerns, the court mandated the following conditions:
- Security Escort: Rashid must be accompanied by at least two plainclothes police personnel throughout his journey from jail and during his entire stay until his return on the seventh day.
- Location Restrictions: He is restricted to remaining at his residence or the location where his father is currently being treated.
- Visitor Control: The court ordered that “there shall not be any undue visitors besides immediate family members” while he is with his father.
- Financial Bond: Rashid is required to furnish a personal bond of ₹1 lakh along with a surety of the same amount.
The interim bail period begins from the date of his release and concludes with his surrender to jail authorities on the seventh day.
