New Delhi, Mar 26: The Delhi High Court has allowed Jammu and Kashmir MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, arrested in a terror funding case, to attend the ongoing Parliament session ‘in-custody’.
A bench of Justices Chandra Dhari Singh and Anup Jairam Bhambhani said police would escort Rashid alias Engineer Rashid to Parliament and bring him back to jail on all days between March 26 to April 4.
While out of jail, Rashid will not be entitled to use a cellphone or landline or interact with media, the bench added.
Rashid, who is facing trial under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in a 2017 terror funding case, has challenged a March 10 trial court order refusing him custody, parole, or interim bail to attend Lok Sabha proceedings till April 4.
Welcoming the judgment, Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said: “We express our deepest gratitude to the judiciary for standing by democratic values and ensuring that Er Rashid, despite all odds, will be able to represent his people in Parliament. This is a momentous decision for democracy and justice. We also sincerely thank our dedicated legal team, led by veteran lawyer Advocate N. Hariharan and Advocate Vikhyat Oberoi, for their unwavering commitment in securing this order.”
The order mandates that Er Rashid will be taken from prison to Parliament under police escort and handed over to Parliament security for the duration of each session before being returned to custody. While in Parliament, he will be able to perform his duties as an MP but will have restrictions on media interactions and communication access.
Inam Un Nabi further said that this judgment is seen as a victory for democratic representation, ensuring that the people of North Kashmir are not deprived of their voice in the country’s highest legislative body.