Jailed J&K MP Engineer Rashid gets parole to attend Parliament
In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has granted a two-day custody parole to jailed Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid to attend the ongoing budget session of Parliament. This decision has been taken to ensure that the suspended sentence of the parliamentarian is not compromised, and he is able to fulfill his constitutional duties.
The order was passed by a single-judge bench of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, who directed the police to escort Rashid during his temporary release. The court, however, imposed certain conditions on him, including a ban on using phones, the internet, and speaking to media or anyone else during his parole.
Engineer Rashid is currently facing trial in a terror funding case and is lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019. His parole has been granted to enable him to participate in the budget session of Parliament, which is of utmost importance for the legislative process.
The court’s decision has been seen as a significant relief for Rashid, who has been struggling to fulfill his parliamentary duties from behind bars. His absence from the Parliament has been affecting the functioning of the House, and this parole will enable him to participate in the discussions and debates on important bills and policies.
The grant of parole to Rashid is also seen as a recognition of the importance of parliamentary democracy and the need to ensure that elected representatives are able to fulfill their duties without any obstruction. The court’s decision has been hailed by many as a step towards ensuring the supremacy of the Constitution and the parliamentary system.
Rashid, a senior leader of the National Conference, was arrested in 2019 by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on charges of terror funding. He has been in custody since then and has been denied parole earlier due to the severity of the charges against him.
The court’s conditions for the parole are aimed at ensuring that Rashid does not use his temporary release to facilitate any illegal activities or disrupt the functioning of the Parliament. The police escort will ensure that he is safely transported to and from the Parliament and that he does not indulge in any activities that could compromise his bail conditions.
The grant of parole to Rashid has also been seen as a significant development in the context of the ongoing political crisis in Jammu and Kashmir. The region has been facing a prolonged political uncertainty since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, and the grant of parole to Rashid has been seen as a step towards restoring normalcy.
The opposition parties in Parliament have welcomed the court’s decision, saying that it is a victory for democracy and the parliamentary system. They have also called for the early release of Rashid and other political leaders who are facing charges in the terror funding case.
In a statement, the National Conference party said that the grant of parole to Rashid was a “victory for democracy and the people of Jammu and Kashmir”. The party also called for the early release of Rashid and other political leaders who are facing charges in the terror funding case.
The grant of parole to Rashid is a significant development in the ongoing political crisis in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a step towards restoring normalcy and ensuring that elected representatives are able to fulfill their duties without any obstruction. The court’s decision has been hailed by many as a recognition of the importance of parliamentary democracy and the need to ensure that elected representatives are able to fulfill their duties without any obstruction.
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