Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 26: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday allowed Jammu and Kashmir MP Engineer Rashid to attend the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament, providing him temporary relief amid his legal battle in a terror funding case.
The second half of the Budget Session, which began on March 10, is set to conclude on April 4. Engineer Rashid, who remains lodged in Tihar Jail, had sought custody parole to participate in the proceedings.
Rashid, who won the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat by defeating National Conference Vice President and now Chief Minister Omar Abdullah by over two lakh votes, is facing charges in a case being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
A bench comprising Justices Chandra Dhari Singh and Anup Jairam Bhambhani reserved its order on Tuesday after hearing arguments from both Rashid’s legal team and the anti-terror agency’s counsel.
The MP had challenged a March 10 order by the special NIA court that denied him custody parole, calling the decision “erroneous” in his petition to the High Court. In response, the Delhi HC issued a notice to the NIA, seeking its objections before March 17.
Earlier, a single-judge bench of Justice Vikas Mahajan had granted Engineer Rashid custody parole on February 11 and 13, allowing him to attend Parliament under strict conditions. Following that ruling, Rashid attended the session under heavy police escort.
Justice Mahajan’s order restricted Rashid from interacting with anyone beyond his parliamentary responsibilities and barred him from addressing the media in any form.
The legal battle over Rashid’s case has been ongoing. In November last year, a court recommended transferring his trial to the MP/MLA court after he secured his parliamentary seat. Seeking an expedited decision on his bail application, Rashid approached the Delhi High Court, which later directed the special NIA court to take a call on the matter.
Last week, his regular bail plea under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was rejected by the Patiala House court in Delhi. Additional District Judge Chander Jit Singh pronounced the verdict, stating: "The bail plea is dismissed."
With his latest legal reprieve, Engineer Rashid is set to attend Parliament once again, albeit under strict security protocols.