Delhi HC seeks NIA response on Er Rashid bail plea to attend Budget session

New Delhi, February 6: The Delhi High Court on Thursday took up the interim bail application of jailed Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) president and Baramulla MP, Engineer Abdul Rashid Sheikh, directing the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to clarify whether he can be granted custody parole to attend the ongoing Budget session of Parliament. Following the arguments, the court scheduled the next hearing for Friday, The Week reported.

According to Inam Un Nabi, AIP’s chief spokesperson, the Delhi High Court's registrar general has assured that the matter will be placed before the Supreme Court on Friday for swift resolution of the jurisdictional dispute concerning Rashid’s bail plea.

Rashid, a former MLA from Langate in north Kashmir, has been lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019 after being arrested by the NIA in a money laundering case. Known for his outspoken stance on Kashmir and human rights, he was twice elected to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly before securing a historic victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla. His win came against prominent political figures Omar Abdullah and Sajad Lone.

Despite facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in a terror funding case, Rashid managed to contest and win the parliamentary elections. While he was briefly released for campaigning during the assembly elections, his party, AIP, secured only one seat.

His indefinite hunger strike, now in its seventh day, has raised serious health concerns. "His condition is deteriorating, and he has already lost a significant amount of weight," said Inam Un Nabi. However, he emphasized that Rashid remains steadfast in his demand for justice and his right to represent his constituents in Parliament.

"We have full faith in the legal system and remain hopeful that Rashid Sahib will be granted bail, allowing him to fulfill his democratic duty as an elected representative," Nabi added.