The Special NIA Court in Delhi has permitted incarcerated Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) President and Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid to attend the forthcoming session of the Lok Sabha from July 24 to August 4, 2025, under strict custodial supervision. Adiitional sessions judge Chander Jit Singh granted him custody parole.
According to the court’s directive, Er Rashid will be escorted by jail authorities to Parliament daily during session hours and placed under the custody of Parliament marshals and security staff. He will not be allowed to use phones or internet, speak to the media, or interact with anyone outside the parliamentary premises. At the conclusion of each day’s proceedings, he will be returned to Tihar Jail — even if the session extends beyond regular hours. Notably, the court also ordered that all travel and logistical expenses must be borne entirely by the MP himself.
The decision follows Er Rashid’s recent election victory from Baramulla constituency while being in judicial custody in connection with an NIA case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Reacting to the court’s order, AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam un Nabi expressed mixed feelings, terming the restrictions “too harsh and unfortunate.” “It is a good thing that he (Er Rashid) has been allowed to attend Parliament, but why only for a limited duration and at his own expense?” he questioned.
Inam also announced that AIP’s legal team is preparing to approach the Delhi High Court to challenge what he described as a “skewed and discriminatory” decision, pointing out that the same judge had previously granted Er Rashid interim bail for election campaigning.
The AIP maintains that the restrictions imposed on Er Rashid infringe upon the democratic rights of an elected Member of Parliament and are inconsistent with the spirit of parliamentary representation.
Rashid has been lodged in Tihar 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.
The Baramulla MP, who defeated Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, is facing trial in a terror funding case with allegations that he funded separatists and terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the NIA's FIR, Rashid's name cropped up during the interrogation of businessman and co-accused Zahoor Watali.
Follow us
