Parliamentary Attendace Allowed for Engineer Rashid to Vote in Vice President Election, as Decided by Delhi Court

A Delhi court has granted permission for jailed Baramulla Member of Parliament (MP) Abdul Rashid Sheikh to attend parliament on September 9 to cast his vote in the upcoming Vice Presidential election.

The court's order, passed by Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Chander Jit Singh of the Patiala House Court on September 4, comes after Rashid's plea for allowing him to attend parliament to vote for the Vice Presidential polls was not opposed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Rashid, who is currently in Tihar Jail as an accused in a terror funding case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), had earlier moved a trial court for bail, which recently rejected the bail plea.

The court has ordered Rashid not to use mobile phones or any communication devices and not to engage with or address the media within the premises of the parliament or outside. He will be handed over to the custody of parliament security/ marshals upon arrival at the parliament.

The court has directed Rashid not to interact with anyone in the parliament, except within the premises of the Lok Sabha House and in relation to the performance of his role as an MP. The parliament security/ marshals shall allow him to attend the proceedings of the Lok Sabha.

The court has also issued directions to facilitate Rashid to attend the parliament on the said date, similar to directions previously issued by the Delhi High Court while allowing him to attend the parliament's budget session.

The Secretary General of the Lok Sabha mentioned in the court verdict allowing detained Engineer Rashid to contest the parliamentary elections is Shri T.K. Viswanathan. The NIA, however, contended that Rashid should bear the expenses towards travel and necessary arrangements for the same. The court has stated that the issue of imposition of travel costs and expenses towards Rashid's visit to parliament would be subject to the orders of the Delhi High Court where the issue is currently pending.

Upon conclusion of the proceedings, Rashid shall be brought back and admitted to prison, even if it happens to be beyond official hours as per jail rules. The court has requested the Secretary General of the Lok Sabha to ensure compliance with these conditions to avoid compromising Rashid's judicial custody. The Court has also directed the Jail Superintendent to send Rashid in custody under plain-clothed police escort from prison to the parliament house.

Rashid won the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls by defeating current Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Special Public Prosecutor Gautam Khazanchi, Public Prosecutor Ankit Gautam with advocate Aditi Kukreja appeared for NIA. Advocate Vikhyat Oberoi appeared for Rashid.

Parliamentary Attendace Allowed for Engineer Rashid to Vote in Vice President Election, as Decided by Delhi Court