New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted one week’s interim bail to jailed Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, in a terror-funding case being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), to enable him to visit and care for his ailing father.
A division bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Madhu Jain allowed the plea filed by Rashid, who is presently lodged in Tihar Jail, and directed his release on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh along with one surety of the like amount.
Imposing strict safeguards, the Delhi High Court directed that Rashid will remain either at the hospital where his father is undergoing treatment or at the residence where his father is staying, and will not move outside these premises during the period of interim bail.
It further ordered that at least two police personnel in plain clothes shall accompany him at all times during the interim bail period.
Among other conditions, the Justice Singh-led Bench directed Rashid to use only one mobile phone number, which must be provided to the investigating officer of the NIA and kept switched on at all times.
It also prohibited him from contacting, influencing, or attempting to influence any witness connected with the case, directly or indirectly.
Further, it was ordered that no undue visitors would be allowed during the period of interim bail and that only immediate family members may meet him.
The Delhi High Court clarified that the expenses for security arrangements and escort personnel during the interim bail period would be borne by the NIA, noting that the broader issue of custodial expenses remains pending adjudication.
“After going through records, the court is of the opinion that this is a fit case for the grant of interim bail for one week,” the Justice Singh-led Bench observed.
Senior advocate N. Hariharan, appearing for Rashid, argued that his father’s deteriorating medical condition warranted urgent humanitarian relief and contended that interim bail was justified in the circumstances. Hariharan also submitted that the allegations regarding witness influence were not substantiated and that certain material relied upon by the NIA had not initially been disclosed to the defence.
Opposing the plea, senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the NIA, argued that there existed material suggesting attempts to influence witnesses and raised concerns over the possibility of further interference with the ongoing trial.
The NIA had instead pressed for custody parole, but the Delhi High Court proceeded to grant interim bail subject to strict safeguards.
Rashid had approached the Delhi High Court after a Patiala House Court earlier denied him interim bail to visit his hospitalised father.
The J&K’s Baramulla MP is facing prosecution in a terror-funding case and was previously granted custody parole, including in January this year, when Rashid was allowed to attend the Budget Session of Parliament. The question relating to expenses for Rashid’s custodial movement had also led to a split verdict of the Delhi High Court in November last year and remains pending for further consideration.
(IANS)
