Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid has been granted custody parole by the Patiala House Court, allowing him to attend Parliament sessions from July 24 to August 4. The decision, announced on Tuesday, includes specific conditions and costs, while his interim bail plea was dismissed.
According to ANI, the Patiala House Court granted the custody parole “whenever there is a Parliament session with cost and other conditions.”
The court had reserved its verdict on the plea on July 15, as reported by PTI. Custody parole dictates that a prisoner is “escorted by armed police personnel,” ensuring their secure movement.
Engineer Rashid’s Interim Bail Plea
Rashid’s counsel, Vikhyat Oberoi, had advocated for interim bail, arguing that “his client should be allowed to attend the parliamentary session.” In an alternative submission, Oberoi stated that Rashid could be permitted custody parole, “without payment of travel costs.”
However, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) opposed the interim bail request. The NIA maintained that interim bail “should not be granted” and that custody parole could only be permitted “after payment of travel expenses.”
Engineer Rashid has been incarcerated in Tihar jail since 2019, following his arrest by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with a 2017 terror funding case. The Baramulla MP, who notably defeated Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, is currently facing trial for allegedly providing funds to separatist elements and terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir.
The NIA’s FIR indicates that Rashid’s name emerged during the interrogation of businessman and co-accused Zahoor Watali. Charges were framed against Rashid and others in October 2019, and a special NIA court formally charged them in March 2022 under various sections of the IPC, including 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the government), and 124A (sedition), as well as for offences related to terrorist acts and terror funding under the UAPA.
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