The Delhi High Court has granted interim bail until June 2 to Baramulla Member of Parliament (MP) Abdul Rashid Sheikh, widely known as Engineer Rashid, in a terror-funding case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The division bench allowed the temporary relief on humanitarian grounds to enable the appellant to attend his father’s burial and perform customary last rites in Srinagar under strict security surveillance.
Abdul Rashid Sheikh, a Member of Parliament representing the Baramulla constituency, has been in judicial custody for over six years following his arrest in 2019. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Sheikh under the stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The central investigative agency has accused Sheikh of being a key participant in a conspiracy involving illicit funding and terror organisations. According to the NIA, this network was structured with the primary objective of generating finances to fuel separatist activities across Jammu and Kashmir. Sheikh has remained incarcerated since his arrest, with his legal representative moving the High Court for temporary relief following a bereavement in the family.
During the hearing on Monday, the division bench consisting of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Madhu Jain took note of the factual updates surrounding the application for interim bail.
The counsel representing the National Investigation Agency, Akshai Malik, verified the facts presented by the appellant’s legal team. The prosecution confirmed that Sheikh’s father had passed away during the intervening night of May 17 and May 18. Based on this verified report, the division bench accepted the prayer for interim bail to facilitate the performance of customary religious and family rituals.
In its seven-page order, the division bench balanced the humanitarian necessity of allowing a son to perform his father’s final rites with the security requirements mandated by the nature of the charges against the MP.
The High Court laid down strict parameters to govern Sheikh’s temporary release. The bench directed that at least two plainclothes police personnel must closely accompany the Baramulla MP throughout the entire duration of his interim bail.
In its written order, the court observed:
“The said police officials shall accompany him from the beginning of the journey from the concerned jail till the time he returns from Srinagar…”
To prevent any deviation or unauthorized engagements during this temporary release, the High Court restricted Sheikh’s physical movement solely to locations designated for bereavement rituals. The bench clarified the spatial limitations of the interim bail, stating:
“For the purpose of customary rights, the Appellant shall be permitted to visit the burial ground or any other place of worship. Apart from the said venues, the Appellant shall not be permitted to move anywhere else.”
Consequent to these findings and security evaluations, the Delhi High Court granted interim bail to Abdul Rashid Sheikh until June 2. The MP is expected to return to the concerned jail facility immediately upon the expiration of the granted period.
