New Delhi: A Delhi court on Tuesday granted interim bail till October 2 to Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid in a terror funding case. Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, defeated former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from the Baramulla constituency.
Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh granted the relief to Rashid, who had moved the court seeking interim bail to campaign in the upcoming Jammu & Kashmir assembly elections. On July 5, the court granted Rashid custody parole to take the oath as a member of the Lok Sabha.
Rashid has been in jail since 2019 after he was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the 2017 terror funding case. He is lodged in Tihar jail.
The court has reserved for tomorrow its order on his regular bail application. Rashid's name cropped up in the case during the investigation of Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, who the NIA arrested for allegedly funding terrorist groups and separatists in the Kashmir valley.
The NIA had filed a charge sheet against several people, including Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, in the case. Malik was sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court in 2022 after he pleaded guilty to the charges.
Reactions from Political Leaders:
The court's interim bail for Engineer Rashid has elicited strong reactions from Jammu and Kashmir's political figures. Rashid, who has been detained since 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for alleged militant funding, will be able to campaign in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections due to the interim bail.
National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah criticised the timing of the bail, suggesting it was intended to benefit Rashid's electoral campaign rather than public service. Omar stated, "We anticipated this outcome. My concern is for the people of Baramulla, as this bail for MP Engineer Rashid appears to be more about political gain than serving the public or attending Parliament."
"This temporary relief seems designed to help him secure votes. Once the elections are over, he will return to Tihar Jail, leaving the people of North Kashmir without a representative," he added.
In contrast, BJP leader Altaf Thakur acknowledged the court's decision but downplayed its impact on the BJP's strategy. "It's a judicial matter, and we must respect the court's decision. This bail will not impact the BJP. Its effects will be more felt by Omar Abdullah and the National Conference. Regardless of Rashid's bail status, the BJP will proceed with its full strength in the J&K assembly elections." He further said, "Omar seems to view any candidate in the elections as a potential BJP ally."
Former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu welcomed the bail but questioned its temporary nature, expressing hope that Rashid would not have to return to jail immediately after the elections.
"I welcome the grant of bail to Engineer Rashid but wonder why it is time-bound and interim only till October 2nd? I am happy that he will get to see his family after years. I just wish they didn’t have to part with him again in a few weeks after elections are over," he said in his X post.
Meanwhile, Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chief Ghulam Nabi Azad supported the bail, viewing it as a step towards justice for Rashid, who has a strong electoral mandate.
"I welcome the interim bail order granted to Eng. Rashid Sahib by the Delhi Patiala House Court. As a democratically elected MP with a strong mandate, this is a step towards justice and his right to campaign in the assembly elections," he said.
However, Firdous Baba, spokesperson for Rashid's Awami Itehad Party (AIP), defended the bail, arguing that Rashid's release was justified and criticizing perceived inconsistencies in the treatment of political figures.
"When Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and PDP youth leader Waheed Para were granted bail under the UAPA, there was no issue. However, when a common Kashmiri like Engineer Rashid is released to reconnect with his family and supporters, political parties should have welcomed it. Instead, they seem anxious and sceptical about his release," Baba said.
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