The Delhi High Court on Friday mandated Jammu and Kashmir MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, commonly known as Engineer Rashid, to deposit Rs 4 lakh with prison authorities to cover travel expenses for attending the ongoing Parliament session. Justices Chandra Dhari Singh and Anup Jairam Bhambhani, presiding over the case, allowed him to participate “in-custody” until April 4, dismissing concerns from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that he might attempt to flee.
Rashid’s legal counsel informed the court that Rs 1.45 lakh had already been deposited and assured that the remaining Rs 2.55 lakh would be deposited within the next three days. The court outlined that upon completion of the deposit, Rashid would be transported to Parliament to fulfill his legislative duties.
The court aimed to balance the interests of both parties, expressing a desire not to undermine the purpose of its previous order which permitted Rashid’s parliamentary attendance. It was determined that Rashid should deposit at least 50 percent of the total calculated amount of Rs 8.74 lakh and scheduled further proceedings for May 19.
The financial burden for Rashid to attend the session was detailed in a plea, which outlined a requirement from prison authorities to pay approximately Rs 1.45 lakh daily for travel and related arrangements, totaling Rs 8.74 lakh over six days. Rashid contested the “excessively high” cost, claiming it impeded his constitutional responsibilities. He argued that these financial demands were prejudicial and beyond his current means, suggesting he might need to resort to crowdfunding.
The NIA opposed Rashid’s plea, labeling it a “gross misuse of the law.” However, the court previously mandated that Rashid be escorted by plain-clothed policemen from prison to Parliament and back, at his own expense, during the Lok Sabha sessions from March 26 to April 4.
Facing trial under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for a 2017 terror funding case, Rashid had originally sought custody parole or interim bail to attend the Lok Sabha proceedings, which was denied by a trial court on March 10. He subsequently modified his request to attend “in-custody,” which was granted by the high court.
The NIA had expressed concerns that Rashid could misuse the platform of Parliament to propagate his views, but the high court deferred to the Lok Sabha speaker’s authority over parliamentary proceedings, confident in the maintenance of discipline.
Rashid, who has been in custody at Delhi’s Tihar Jail since 2019 following his arrest by the NIA, briefly received interim bail in September of the previous year to participate in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election.
