Terror Funding Accused MP Engineer Rashid Granted Custody Parole to Attend Budget Session

The Patiala House Court has granted custody parole to Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, who is currently in jail on terror funding charges, allowing him to attend the Parliament’s Budget Session. The decision permits him to participate in the two-phase Budget Session scheduled from 28 January to 13 February and 9 March to 2 April.

Under the court’s order, Engineer Rashid will be brought from Tihar Jail on the days of the session. He will go directly to Parliament and return to jail once the proceedings conclude. The police and jail authorities will ensure his security and transportation during this period. The court also stated that the expenses for his transportation to and from jail will be determined by the Delhi High Court.

The decision follows a pending matter in the Delhi High Court regarding the expenditure for Engineer Rashid’s participation in the previous Monsoon Session. Considering this, the court left the determination of the new session’s expenses to the High Court.

Engineer Rashid, elected from the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, will thus be able to perform his parliamentary duties despite being incarcerated. However, the parole is strictly limited to the days of the Budget Session, and he is not permitted to go anywhere else outside jail during this period.

This arrangement underscores the legal recognition of the parliamentary rights of MPs even while serving custodial sentences, allowing them to fulfill their legislative responsibilities.