New Delhi, April 24: A court in Delhi on Friday dismissed the interim bail plea of Baramulla Member of Parliament Abdul Rashid Sheikh, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, who had sought temporary release to meet his ailing father currently on ventilator support.
Special Judge (NIA) Prashant Sharma of Patiala House Court rejected the plea after hearing arguments from both the defence counsel and the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) representing the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
During the proceedings, NIA’s SPP Gautam Khazanchi opposed the interim bail application citing a confidential report. However, the agency informed the court that it had no objection if custody parole was granted to the accused.
Counsel for Rashid, Advocate Vikhyat Oberoi, contested the agency’s stand, arguing that the so-called secret report cannot be relied upon unless it is shared with the accused. He also informed the court that Rashid’s father is critically ill and on ventilator support, seeking relief on humanitarian grounds.
The defence further submitted that Rashid had earlier been granted interim bail to contest parliamentary elections, but his current plea is being opposed despite the grave condition of his father.
Notably, on April 20, the court had granted time to the NIA to file its response to the interim bail plea.
Engineer Rashid is presently lodged in Tihar Jail under judicial custody in connection with a terror funding case being investigated by the NIA.
