New Delhi, May 26 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday allowed Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, to avail a fresh spell of interim bail from June 25 to June 30 to attend the Chehlum (40th-day) rituals and ceremonies following his father’s demise.
A division bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Madhu Jain directed that Rashid, who is currently on interim bail till June 2, shall surrender before the jail authorities upon expiry of the present relief period and would thereafter be released again on interim bail from June 25 to June 30.
The Delhi High Court further said that Rashid would not be required to furnish a fresh personal bond or surety if the same had already been furnished to the satisfaction of the Jail Superintendent pursuant to the previous order.
It added that all conditions imposed in the earlier order dated May 18 would continue to operate during the fresh period of interim bail.
Senior advocate N. Hariharan, appearing for Rashid, submitted before the Justice Singh-led Bench that although Rashid had already attended the last rites, the 40th-day ceremony scheduled for June 27 was an important religious observance for the family.
He further highlighted that travel from custody to Srinagar and back to Tihar Jail would require additional time.
Opposing the plea, counsel for the NIA argued against the grant of further interim bail.
However, the Delhi High Court observed that granting a short period of relief in such circumstances would not be unreasonable.
As per the latest order, Rashid will be released on interim bail from June 25 to June 30, subject to the same stringent conditions imposed earlier.
In its order passed on May 18, the Delhi High Court had granted interim bail to Rashid till June 2 to enable him to attend the funeral and perform the last rites of his father, who passed away at AIIMS-Delhi. It had then directed that Rashid remain under continuous escort of at least two plainclothes police personnel during the entire interim bail period. It had also restricted his stay to his residences in Srinagar and Kupwara districts of Jammu and Kashmir and permitted him to visit only the burial ground or place of worship for performing customary rites.
The order had further directed Rashid to use only one mobile number, remain in contact with the Investigating Officer, and refrain from contacting witnesses or indulging in any unlawful activity.
Rashid, who is facing trial in a terror-funding case being investigated by the NIA, has remained in custody for several years and had earlier been granted custody parole on multiple occasions, including to attend Parliament sessions.
–IANS
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