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, allowing him to attend the ongoing budget session of Parliament. The court’s decision came on a plea filed by Rashid, who is currently serving a sentence in Tihar Jail in a terror funding case.
Engineer Rashid, a prominent politician from Jammu and Kashmir, was arrested in August 2017 by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and charged with being involved in terror funding activities in the valley. He has been in jail since then, and his bail pleas have been rejected multiple times by the courts.
However, in a rare move, the Delhi High Court has granted Rashid a two-day parole, allowing him to attend the budget session of Parliament, which is currently underway. The court imposed certain conditions on Rashid, including a ban on using phones, the internet, and speaking to the media or anyone else.
The court’s decision was a result of Rashid’s plea, which was filed through his counsel, who argued that his client was a democratically elected representative and his presence in Parliament was essential. The plea also cited the fact that Rashid was a key member of the Jammu and Kashmir United Democratic Front (JDUF) and his absence would disrupt the functioning of the party.
Rashid’s counsel argued that the Parliament session was a crucial one, with several important bills being discussed and passed, and the MP’s presence was essential to ensure that the voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir was heard. The counsel also pointed out that Rashid had been in jail for over four years and had already served a significant portion of his sentence.
The Delhi High Court, considering Rashid’s plea, granted him a two-day parole, subject to certain conditions. The court directed that Rashid would be escorted by police personnel during his stay in Delhi and would not be allowed to use phones, the internet, or speak to the media or anyone else.
Rashid’s parole comes at a time when the political scenario in Jammu and Kashmir is undergoing a significant transformation. The state has been without a government since the BJP-led coalition government was dissolved in November 2018, and the PDP-Congress alliance government was also unable to function effectively.
The situation in the valley has been tense, with the administration facing protests and demonstrations by various groups, including separatists, over issues such as Article 35A and the demand for autonomy. The Centre has been trying to resolve the crisis through talks with various stakeholders, including separatist groups, but so far, no breakthrough has been achieved.
Engineer Rashid’s parole is seen as a significant development in the wake of the ongoing political turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir. His presence in Parliament would allow him to raise important issues related to the state, including the demands of the people and the situation on the ground.
However, Rashid’s parole has also been seen as a controversial move by some, who argue that he is a accused in a terror funding case and should be kept in jail to face trial. Rashid’s opponents have accused him of being a separatist and a supporter of terrorism, and his parole has been seen as a move to appease the separatist groups in the valley.
Despite the controversy, Rashid’s parole has been seen as a significant development in the political scenario in Jammu and Kashmir. His presence in Parliament would allow him to raise important issues related to the state, including the demands of the people and the situation on the ground.
As the news of Rashid’s parole spread, reactions poured in from various quarters. While some welcomed the move, others criticized it. The controversy surrounding Rashid’s parole has once again highlighted the complex and sensitive political scenario in Jammu and Kashmir, where emotions are running high and the situation is volatile.
As the nation waits to see how Rashid’s parole plays out, one thing is clear – the political scenario in Jammu and Kashmir is set to become even more complex and volatile in the coming days.
