Delhi Court to Hear Engineer Rashid’s Interim Bail Plea for MP Oath Today
A Delhi court is set to hear further arguments on Saturday regarding the interim bail plea filed by Engineer Rashid. Arrested in connection with a 2016 Jammu and Kashmir terror funding case, Rashid seeks temporary release to take his oath as a Member of Parliament (MP). The court proceedings are crucial as Rashid, who won the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Baramulla, needs to fulfill his parliamentary duties.
Sheikh Abdul Rashid, widely known as Engineer Rashid, contested as an independent candidate and managed to defeat former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of the National Conference. His unexpected victory has added a significant twist to the political landscape, bringing the focus back on his legal battles.
Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh had previously set the hearing for June 22, instructing the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to provide the court with the expected date for Rashid’s oath-taking ceremony. This directive was given in light of the newly elected MPs scheduled to take their oaths on June 24, 25, and 26.
In his plea, Rashid has requested interim bail or, alternatively, custody parole to enable him to take the oath and carry out his responsibilities as an MP. The court’s decision on this matter will be pivotal for Rashid’s political career and his ability to serve his constituents.
Engineer Rashid has been incarcerated since 2019, following charges by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act related to the alleged terror funding case. Currently, he remains lodged in Tihar Jail, awaiting the court’s decision on his bail application.
The charges against Rashid emerged during the interrogation of Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, who was arrested by the NIA for allegedly funding terrorist groups and separatists in the Kashmir Valley. This investigation has led to several high-profile arrests and ongoing legal proceedings.
The NIA’s charge sheet includes accusations against prominent figures such as Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin. Yasin Malik was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2022 after pleading guilty to the charges brought against him.
As the court prepares to hear further arguments, the outcome will not only affect Engineer Rashid’s immediate future but also have broader implications for the political and legal dynamics surrounding the case. The decision on his interim bail plea is highly anticipated by his supporters and critics alike.
