MP Rashid Engineer Seeks Bail to Take Oath in Parliament

The Patiala House court in New Delhi has given the National Investigation Agency (NIA) more time to respond to the bail application of Rashid Engineer, the newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) from Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir. Rashid is currently in custody for a terror funding case.

Rashid has requested interim bail or custody parole to take his oath as an MP in Parliament. The court, presided over by duty judge Kiran Gupta, has scheduled the next hearing for July 1. Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) appeared via video conferencing and asked for more time to file a reply, citing the need to work out the modalities as it is a UAPA matter.

Rashid’s lawyer, Advocate Vikhyat Oberoi, argued that Rashid won the election with a vast majority and that it is his constitutional duty to take the oath. Oberoi mentioned that Rashid’s supporters want him to represent them in Parliament and that it is shameful he has to beg to take his oath. The lawyer suggested that the court could direct the jail authorities, the NIA, or the Lok Sabha Secretariat to arrange for Rashid to take his oath.

On June 18, the Patiala House court had directed the NIA to inform which of the three scheduled dates—June 24, 25, or 26—Rashid could take his oath. Rashid defeated Omar Abdullah in the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat while in custody. His lawyer also referred to previous court orders that allowed accused individuals to take their oaths while in custody.

Rashid has been in custody for the last five years. His lawyer filed the application for interim bail or custody parole on June 5, and the court had listed the matter for a reply from the NIA on June 6. The date for the oath ceremony has not yet been declared.