The Delhi High Court has granted interim bail to MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, who is accused in a terror-funding case, to attend to his father's funeral rites, under strict police escort.
Key Points
- Delhi High Court grants interim bail to MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid in a terror-funding case following his father's death.
- Rashid, lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019, faces allegations of funding separatists and terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir.
- The court mandates that Rashid be accompanied by police officials at all times during his interim bail period.
- Rashid sought bail to conduct burial rites and ceremonies for his deceased father.
- Rashid faces charges under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The Delhi High Court on Monday granted interim bail till June 2 to Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid, who is lodged in prison in a terror-funding case, following his father's demise.
A bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Madhu Jain said during the interim bail period, Rashid shall always be accompanied by at least two police officials in plainclothes, who shall remain with him from the beginning of the journey from Tihar Jail until his return from Srinagar.
He shall be permitted to visit the burial ground or any other place of worship, but shall not be permitted to move anywhere else, the bench ordered.
Grounds For Interim Bail
Rashid sought interim bail on the grounds that his father, who was undergoing treatment at AIIMS, passed away on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.
He said interim bail was needed to conduct the burial, carry out the customary rites and perform various other ceremonies.
"Accordingly, due to the demise of the appellant's father, interim bail is granted to the appellant until 2nd June, 2026," the court ordered.
Terror Funding Case Details
Rashid is facing trial in the terror-funding case. He faces allegations that he funded separatists and terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir. He has been lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail since 2019 after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested him in the 2017 case.
After he was named in a chargesheet in October 2019, a special NIA court framed charges against Rashid and others in March 2022 under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the government), and 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code and under relevant provisions of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
