Delhi High Court Grants Interim Bail To Jailed MP Engineer Rashid To Visit Ailing Father

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted one weeks' interim bail to jailed Jammu and Kashmir MP Engineer Rashid to visit his ailing father.

A division bench comprising Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Madhu Jain allowed Rashid to either remain in the hospital or residence where his father is located, in presence of atleast two police officials in plain clothes.

The Court noted that admittedly, Rashid is a member of Parliament and was earlier permitted to file nominations, campaigning and attend the parliament sessions in custody parole.

It also noted that as per nominal roll, Rashid has been in custody for more than 6 years 8 months, except for the 48 days of interim bail.

Rashid was elected from the Baramulla constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and has been lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019 after the NIA arrested him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the 2017 terror-funding case.

He has been in jail since 2019 after he was charged by NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in alleged terror funding case.

Rashid's regular bail was rejected by the trial court on March 21, 2025. In the meantime, he filed an interim bail before the trial court on the ground that his father is suffering from various health ailments. The plea was rejected on April 24 on the ground that Rashid is alleged to have influenced witnesses, including one protected witness.

Rashid then filed an appeal against rejection of his interim bail. Senior Advocate N Hariharan appeared for Rashid and said that the allegation was not made out and that the medical condition of the father was sufficient reason to grant interim bail to Rashid.

He also contended that certain material relied upon by NIA was not shown to Rashid and thus, the same could not have been made the basis for holding that there was influencing of witnesses.

On the other hand, Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra appeared for National Investigation Agency (NIA) and said that there was data to show that there was influencing of witnesses. A report was also filed in a sealed cover.

Luthra submitted that the witness who had earlier given police statement against Rashid was now influenced to the extent that he made allegations against NIA and had turned hostile.

It was contended that there was reasonable apprehension that there is a possibility of more witnesses being influenced

Granting relief to Rashid, the Court observed that it was a fit case for grant of interim bail for a week on various conditions.

The Bench directed Rashid to furnish a personal bond and said that during one week, he will always be accompanied by atleast two policemen in plain clothes who shall be with him in hospital or residence where the father is located.

Rashid has been asked not to move out either from hospital or the residence and that he shall use only one mobile phone, number of which will be given to IO of NIA which shall always be kept switched on.

The Court has directed Rashid not to contact any witness or influence them in any manner, whether directly or indirectly

It also directed that when Rashid will be with his father, there shall be no contact with undue visitors, except immediate family.

The Court clarified that the cost will not be borne by Rashid as the said question is pending consideration before a single judge after a split verdict was delivered by a division bench.

The matter is now listed in July.

Title: Abdul Rashid Sheikh v. NIA