A Delhi court on Tuesday granted custody parole to jailed Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, allowing him to attend the Monsoon Session of Parliament from July 24 to August 4.
Rashid has been lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019 following his arrest by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with a 2017 terror funding case.
The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh, with a detailed ruling expected shortly.
Engineer Rashid, recently elected to the Lok Sabha after defeating National Conference leader Omar Abdullah in the 2024 general elections, had approached the court seeking either interim bail or custody parole to fulfill his responsibilities as a Member of Parliament.
His counsel argued that Rashid should be permitted to attend parliamentary proceedings, either on bail or under escort, without being made to bear the cost of travel.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) opposed the plea for interim bail, contending that custody parole should only be granted if the expenses for travel and security arrangements are borne by the accused.
Custody parole means the individual remains under the continuous supervision of armed police during the allowed period. The court’s decision to grant custody parole instead of interim bail reflects a balance between national security considerations and the parliamentary responsibilities of an elected representative.
Engineer Rashid is facing serious charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the Government of India), and 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code.
According to the NIA’s FIR, Rashid’s name surfaced during the interrogation of businessman Zahoor Watali, a co-accused in the case. The agency alleges that Rashid provided funds to separatist and terrorist groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
He was chargesheeted in October 2019, and in March 2022, a special NIA court formally framed charges against him and others. The case remains under trial.
