MP Engineer Rashid’s interim bail extended till October 28

A Delhi court on Tuesday extended the interim bail of Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) supremo and Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, in a terror-funding case till October 28.

Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh passed the order on the ground of the health condition of Rashid’s father, after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said it had verified the documents and was not opposing the application.

The judge also deferred the order on Rashid’s regular bail plea in the case till October 28.

The counsel for the accused told the court that this was the last time that his client was seeking an extension.

No violation of any of the conditions by his client was alleged by the NIA, the lawyer said.

Meanwhile, in Srinagar AIP chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said he hoped that Rashid “would get regular bail soon.”

Rashid was released ahead of the first phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir on September 11 after a Delhi court granted interim bail for campaigning during the Assembly polls.

When Rashid was released last month, the AIP had claimed that it would change the dynamics of Kashmir politics. However, his campaign during the elections failed to create a similar wave like during the LS polls, when Rashid had defeated Omar Abdullah from Baramulla and the AIP had secured a lead in 15 of 18 Assembly segments. This time, however, the AIP won only a single seat in Kashmir.

The opponents have accused Rashid of being a BJP proxy, stating that he had been sent out of jail to divide votes. Rashid, however, has denied the charge.