Omar Abdullah Criticizes Bail of Baramulla MP Rashid Engineer Before Elections
Kupwara (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 10: After Awami Ittehad Party Chief and Baramulla MP Rashid Engineer was granted interim bail in a terror funding case, National Conference leader and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah alleged that the bail was a political move to gain votes rather than serve the people of Baramulla.
Omar Abdullah stated, “I knew this would happen sometime or the other. I feel sorry for the people of Baramulla because he has not been granted bail for their welfare or to attend Parliament. He has been granted bail just to contest elections and fetch votes after which he will be sent back to Tihar Jail. People of North Kashmir will again be unrepresented.”
The court granted Rashid Engineer interim bail until October 2, 2024, allowing him to campaign for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) workers celebrated the news, with party leader Ishtiyaq Qadri expressing happiness and calling for absolute bail, stating, “He is absolutely innocent and behind bars for 6 years for no reason.”
Democratic Progressive Azad Party Chief, Ghulam Nabi Azad, also welcomed the court’s decision, saying, “I welcome the interim bail order granted to Eng Rashid Sahib by the Delhi Patiala House Court. As a democratically elected MP with a strong mandate, this is a step towards justice and his right to campaign in the assembly elections.”
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Spokesperson Abhijeet Jasrotia commented, “The country runs by law, if the law of the country has given the bail, then there are no issues. The law of the land that has restored Article 370 approved his (Engineer Rashid) bail.”
Rashid Engineer had requested interim bail for three months, while his regular bail application remains pending, with an order expected on September 11. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) opposed the regular bail plea, citing concerns that Rashid might misuse his position to influence witnesses and obstruct justice. The NIA also mentioned that Rashid had previously misused telephone facilities in Tihar Jail.
Rashid Engineer, who won the Baramulla seat by defeating Omar Abdullah in the recent Lok Sabha elections, seeks bail as his case progresses. He was previously arrested in 2005 and 2019 on charges related to anti-national activities and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls will be held in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, with counting on October 8. There are 90 assembly constituencies, with 7 seats reserved for SCs and 9 for STs.
Doubts Revealed
Omar Abdullah -: Omar Abdullah is a politician from Jammu and Kashmir, a region in India. He has been the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in the past.
Bail -: Bail is when someone who is in jail is allowed to go home until their trial or court date. They usually have to promise to come back to court.
Baramulla MP -: Baramulla is a place in Jammu and Kashmir, and MP stands for Member of Parliament. So, Baramulla MP means the person who represents Baramulla in the Parliament.
Rashid Engineer -: Rashid Engineer is a politician from Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir. He has been in jail for six years and was recently granted bail.
Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections -: These are elections to choose the leaders who will make laws and decisions for the Jammu and Kashmir region. They are like choosing class monitors in school.
National Investigation Agency -: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is a government agency in India that investigates serious crimes, like terrorism. They opposed Rashid Engineer’s regular bail.
Interim bail -: Interim bail is temporary permission for someone in jail to go home for a short time, usually until a specific date or event.
Campaign -: Campaigning is when politicians talk to people to convince them to vote for them in elections. They might give speeches, visit places, and meet people.
Phases -: Phases mean parts or stages. The elections in Jammu and Kashmir will happen in three parts on different days.
Counting -: Counting in elections means adding up all the votes to see who won. It will happen on October 8 for these elections.
