New Delhi, May 27, KNT: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted interim bail to jailed Baramulla Member of Parliament Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, from June 25 to June 30 to enable him to attend post-death rituals of his father in Srinagar.
A division bench comprising Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Madhu Jain directed that Rashid shall surrender on June 2 following expiry of the interim bail earlier granted to him on May 18 for attending his father’s last rites.
Rashid’s counsel had urged the court to extend his interim release to enable him to participate in religious ceremonies scheduled on the 40th day following his father’s burial.
“After the interim bail expires on June 2, the appellant shall surrender. However, for the period from June 25 to June 30, interim bail is again granted in order to enable the appellant to participate in the rites and ceremonies on the 40th day,” the court said.
The bench clarified that the fresh interim bail would remain subject to the same conditions imposed during his present release period.
On May 18, the High Court had granted Rashid interim bail with several restrictions, including that he remain accompanied by at least two police personnel in plain clothes from the time of departure from Tihar Jail until his return from Srinagar.
The court had also restricted his movement, permitting visits to the burial ground or place of worship while directing that he should not travel elsewhere beyond his residence.
Earlier, on April 28, the court granted Rashid one-week interim bail to meet his ailing father in Srinagar. The relief was subsequently extended till May 10 after his father was shifted to AIIMS in New Delhi for treatment.
Engineer Rashid has been lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019 following his arrest by the National Investigation Agency in connection with a 2017 case.
He is facing trial under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and various sections of the Indian Penal Code. Investigating agencies have alleged his involvement in financing and supporting unlawful activities in Jammu and Kashmir, allegations which he contests. [KNT]
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