The Delhi High Court on Friday sought a response from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on a petition filed by jailed Member of Parliament Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, seeking interim bail to attend the ongoing Monsoon session of the Lok Sabha. Rashid, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail in connection with a 2017 terror funding case, has also challenged a trial court order that required him to pay ₹1.44 lakh per day for attending Parliament proceedings under police custody.
A division bench comprising Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Shalinder Kaur issued notice to the NIA and scheduled the matter for further hearing on July 29. On the same day, the court is also slated to hear Rashid’s regular bail plea in the case.
Rashid, who defeated National Conference leader Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla, has been in judicial custody since 2019. He was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) by the NIA, which accused him of funding separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. His name surfaced during the interrogation of co-accused businessman Zahoor Watali, leading to charges under IPC Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the Government), 124A (sedition), and multiple provisions of the UAPA.
During the brief hearing, Rashid’s counsel argued that the MP had already incurred around ₹17 lakh in travel and security expenses merely to fulfill his constitutional duty to represent his constituency in Parliament. The counsel stressed that Rashid had been allowed to attend Parliament on previous occasions and should not be financially burdened to do so again.
The trial court had granted Rashid custody parole from July 24 to August 4, on the condition that he bear the cost of daily travel under police escort. In his plea before the High Court, Rashid has requested either interim bail or custody parole with the government bearing the travel expenses, citing his constitutional responsibilities as an elected parliamentarian.
