The Delhi High Court has granted one week’s interim bail to jailed Jammu and Kashmir MP Engineer Rashid, allowing him to visit his ailing father. The relief comes after the court considered his prolonged custody and the medical condition of his parent, while imposing stringent conditions to prevent any misuse of liberty.
Court weighs custody and humanitarian grounds
A division bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Madhu Jain noted that Rashid has been in custody for over six years and eight months, except for a brief period of interim bail earlier. The court also took into account that he is a sitting Member of Parliament who had previously been allowed custody parole to file nominations, campaign and attend parliamentary sessions.
Rashid, elected from the Baramulla constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has been lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019 following his arrest by the National Investigation Agency under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in a terror-funding case.
Strict conditions during interim release
While granting relief, the court directed that Rashid must remain either at the hospital or at the residence where his father is admitted. He will be accompanied at all times by at least two plainclothes police personnel. The bench also restricted him from stepping out of the designated premises during the bail period.
He has been instructed to use only one mobile phone, details of which must be shared with the investigating officer. The court further barred him from contacting or influencing any witnesses, directly or indirectly, and limited interactions strictly to immediate family members.
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Bail plea followed earlier rejection
Rashid’s interim bail plea had earlier been rejected by a trial court, citing concerns that he might influence witnesses, including a protected witness. His legal counsel challenged this, arguing that the allegations were unsubstantiated and that his father’s health condition justified temporary relief.
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Opposing the plea, the NIA maintained that there was material indicating possible witness influence and warned of further risks. Despite these objections, the High Court deemed it a fit case for limited interim bail on humanitarian grounds.
The matter is now scheduled for further hearing in July, with broader issues related to his case still pending adjudication.
