Delhi Court sets June 18 for Engineer Rashid’s interim bail hearing to take oath as MP

Srinagar, June 10: A Delhi court has scheduled June 18 to hear arguments on an application filed by Engineer Rashid, who was arrested in a 2016 Jammu and Kashmir terror funding case. Rashid is seeking interim bail to take the oath as a Member of Parliament following the recent general elections.

Sheikh Abdul Rashid, widely known as Engineer Rashid, defeated former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the Baramulla constituency during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Rashid ran as an Independent candidate, defeating the National Conference (NC) vice president. He is also a former Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory.

Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh fixed the hearing date for June 18 after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) requested more time to file a response to Rashid’s application. On June 7, the NIA noted that the notification for the oath of newly elected Lok Sabha members had not yet been published.

The judge adjourned the case, stating that if the notification for the ceremony is issued before the next court date, Rashid could petition the court to expedite the hearing.

Rashid has requested interim bail or, alternatively, custody parole to take his oath and perform parliamentary duties. He has been in jail since 2019, charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the alleged terror funding case, and is currently lodged in Tihar Jail.