The Delhi High Court has granted two days of custody parole to Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, allowing him to attend the parliamentary budget session on February 11 and 13. Rashid, who has been detained under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with a terror funding case, had moved the High Court after his bail plea remained unresolved following his election to the Lok Sabha in 2024. His health reportedly deteriorated due to an ongoing indefinite hunger strike at Tihar Jail, which has now entered its ninth consecutive day, leading to his transfer to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi. The court, while granting parole, imposed strict restrictions, including a ban on the use of mobile phones, internet access, and media interactions. Justice Vikas Mahajan specified that Rashid would only be permitted to attend Parliament and would not be allowed to engage in any other activities.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Luthra, appearing for the National Investigation Agency (NIA), opposed the parole request, arguing that Rashid’s presence in Parliament was unnecessary since the budget had already been presented. He further highlighted security concerns, stating that Rashid would require armed personnel to accompany him at all times, which would be a violation of parliamentary regulations. Despite these objections, the court ruled in favor of granting limited parole, recognizing the urgency of Rashid’s plea and the fact that his bail proceedings had been delayed due to jurisdictional issues. Rashid’s legal team has also pushed for an expedited decision on his pending bail plea, requesting either a swift verdict from the trial court or that the High Court treat his petition as a second regular bail application.
Engineer Rashid, a key leader of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), was arrested by the NIA in 2019 under UAPA charges and has been lodged in Tihar Jail since then. His case has drawn significant political and legal attention, especially after his surprising electoral victory from the Baramulla constituency in 2024. Supporters argue that his continued detention raises serious questions about the legal treatment of elected representatives, while authorities maintain that his charges are grave and warrant strict scrutiny. As the court prepares to hear Rashid’s main petition regarding his bail application, his temporary release for parliamentary duties underscores the complex intersection of legal proceedings, political representation, and human rights concerns in India’s judicial system.
