Delhi HC allows terror accused MP Engineer Rashid to attend Parliament proceedings

A bench of justices CD Singh and Anup Jairam Bhambani, however, barred Rashid from using a mobile phone, interacting with others, and addressing the media.

In its 17-page order, delivered on Tuesday but made public on Wednesday, the court acknowledged the gravity of the offences with which the Baramullah MP has been charged. But it said that the undertrials are eligible to contest parliamentary elections despite being charged with heinous offences. The court also took note of Rashid taking oath as an MP despite being facing serious charges.

“There is absolutely no doubt in the mind of this court that the appellant is accused of very serious offences inter alia under UAPA; and the essential allegation against the appellant, viz. that he was collaborating with certain outfits for funding secessionist and separatist activities in Jammu & Kashmir and waging war against the government of India, is not to be taken lightly,” the court said in its order.