Delhi court seeks NIA view on MP Rashid’s bail plea for Winter Session

A Delhi court on Tuesday issued notice to the National Investigation Agency on a plea filed by Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, seeking interim bail or custody parole to attend the Parliament’s winter session beginning on December 1. Rashid is currently in judicial custody in a terror funding case.

Special NIA Judge Chander Jit Singh of the Patiala House Courts directed the agency to file its reply and listed the matter for hearing on November 21. The application, moved on Monday through advocate Vikhyat Oberoi, was argued by advocate Nishita Gupta on Rashid’s behalf.

The Baramulla MP has asked for temporary bail or parole to enable his participation in the upcoming session. His separate plea seeking modification of the financial conditions imposed for custody parole is pending before the Delhi High Court.

On November 7, a Division Bench of the High Court delivered a split verdict on his application. The matter is now before a single judge for further consideration.

Rashid has previously been granted custody parole on two occasions to attend Parliament. He was also escorted to the House to take his oath after being elected and later permitted to vote in the Vice-Presidential election earlier this year.

Rashid was arrested in a case relating to alleged terror financing. The NIA filed its chargesheet against him in October 2019. In March 2022, a Special NIA Court framed charges under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the Government of India) and 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code, along with provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act concerning terror acts and funding.