Delhi Court Permits MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh to Attend Parliament Session in Custody

Court Decision on Custody Parole

On Tuesday, a court in Delhi granted Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh permission to attend the Monsoon Session of Parliament while remaining in custody, as reported by a local news outlet.

Although Sheikh's request for interim bail to fulfill his parliamentary responsibilities was denied, Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh from the Patiala House Court ruled that he could participate in the session from July 24 to August 4, accompanied by police.

The Parliament session commenced on Monday and is scheduled to end on August 21, with a recess planned from August 12 to August 18.

However, the court imposed certain conditions and costs associated with the custody parole, according to the report.

Sheikh, often referred to as Engineer Rashid, has been incarcerated since August 2019 due to a terror-funding case initiated by the National Investigation Agency, under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

The National Investigation Agency opposed his interim bail request, arguing that if he were allowed to attend Parliament while in custody, he should cover his travel expenses.

Sheikh's legal team contended that he should either be granted bail or not be required to pay for travel, as he was performing a public duty.

In July 2024, Sheikh was granted a two-hour custody parole to take his oath in Parliament. He won the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Baramulla while still in jail, defeating National Conference leader Omar Abdullah.

Additionally, he was released from Tihar jail in October to campaign for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.