Srinagar, Apr 30: In a compassionate move amid his ongoing terror-funding trial, Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid—better known as Engineer Rashid—landed at Srinagar airport Thursday afternoon, securing a week’s interim bail from the Delhi High Court to visit his critically ill father at SMHS hospital, officials confirmed.
The Baramulla MP, who staged a stunning upset by defeating high-profile rivals Chief Minister Omar Abdullah (National Conference) and Sajad Lone (People’s Conference) in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, traveled straight from Delhi’s Tihar Jail. Rashid has been incarcerated there since his August 2019 arrest by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the 2017 terror-funding case. Prosecutors allege he channeled funds to separatists and terror outfits in Jammu & Kashmir, aiming to fuel unrest. A special NIA court formalized charges in March 2022 under IPC sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the government), and 124A (sedition), alongside Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) provisions for terrorist acts and funding.
Rashid’s interim bail plea stemmed from an April 24 trial court rejection. On Tuesday, a Delhi High Court bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Madhu Jain overturned the decision, prioritizing humanitarian grounds. The order permits Rashid to either remain at home or visit his father’s hospital bedside during the seven-day period. Strict conditions apply: two plainclothes police officers must accompany him at all times, with the government covering their travel costs. “No undue visitors” are allowed except immediate family members, ensuring security and preventing any extraneous interactions.
This development marks a rare respite for Rashid, 56, a former Jammu & Kashmir MLA and founder of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP). His 2024 victory, contested from jail, galvanized young voters disillusioned with mainstream parties, positioning him as a vocal critic of the abrogation of Article 370 and advocate for Kashmiri self-determination—stances that have kept him in legal crosshairs.
The case traces back to post-2016 unrest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. NIA investigations linked Rashid to channeling overseas funds via hawala networks to stone-pelters and separatist groups, part of a larger probe involving Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamaat-e-Islami affiliates. Despite multiple bail denials, Rashid’s parliamentary privileges post-2024 election have fueled ongoing legal battles.
In Jammu & Kashmir’s polarized politics, Rashid’s brief release could stir reactions. Supporters view it as a win for family rights in custody cases, while critics decry it amid security concerns in a region still grappling with militancy. His father, in his 80s, has been under treatment for age-related ailments, prompting the urgent plea.
Rashid’s team has indicated plans to seek extensions if needed, while adhering to court mandates. The MP’s return to Tihar Jail next week underscores the protracted nature of his trial, now in advanced stages with witness testimonies ongoing.
This incident highlights tensions between legal accountability and humanitarian considerations in high-profile NIA cases, especially for elected representatives from conflict zones.
