The Delhi High Court on Friday reserved its decision on a plea by jailed Lok Sabha MP Rashid Engineer, who is seeking custody parole to attend the ongoing Parliament session while facing trial in an alleged terror funding case.
Justice Vikas Mahajan heard arguments from Rashid’s counsel and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) before declaring, “Judgment reserved.”
The NIA strongly opposed Rashid’s request, arguing that he had no inherent right to attend Parliament while in judicial custody. The agency further added that Rashid had failed to establish any compelling reason for temporary release and raised security concerns over his participation in parliamentary proceedings.
“I represent the largest constituency of J&K. Don’t prevent its representation when the process of inclusion has begun… Don’t stifle its voice,” argued Rashid’s counsel, emphasizing the importance of his participation in legislative proceedings.
Rashid’s petition claimed he had been left without any remedy after the NIA court handling his bail plea failed to take a decision following his election to the Lok Sabha last year. The delay was attributed to the fact that the NIA court is not a designated special MP/MLA court. As an interim measure, Rashid sought custody parole to attend the session.
In his plea, Rashid urged the Delhi High Court to either expedite the NIA court’s decision on his bail or take up the matter itself.
Rashid has been incarcerated in Delhi’s Tihar Jail since 2019 following his arrest by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with a 2017 terror funding case.
