Today( on 1st July),The National Investigation Agency (NIA) approved jailed Kashmiri leader Engineer Rashid’s request to take his oath as an MP on July 25, with a court decision on his interim bail plea expected on Tuesday. Rashid, arrested in a 2017 terror funding case, seeks bail or custody parole to fulfill his parliamentary duties.
![[2016 Terror Funding Case] Court Rejects Baramulla MP Rashid's Interim Bail Plea to Take Oath as Parliament Member](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-24-1.png?resize=447%2C367&ssl=1)
Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, despite a significant electoral victory, faces legal obstacles preventing him from assuming office. The interim bail plea hearing was postponed, delaying his oath as a Member of Parliament. Rashid’s involvement in a terror funding case has led to his imprisonment in Tihar jail since 2017. The court is yet to approve his release for parliamentary duties.
Today, On 18th June, Engineer Rashid’s request for interim bail denied, and he will remain in Tihar Jail despite winning the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat. The rejection means he cannot take his MP oath. He has been detained since 2019 over alleged terror funding. His arrest and legal battles have marked his political journey, raising concerns about terrorism’s influence in regional politics.
The victories of imprisoned candidates Amritpal Singh and Sheikh Abdul Rashid have raised questions about their eligibility as Members of Parliament in India. Despite their wins in the Khadoor Sahib and Baramulla constituencies, their ability to serve in the Lok Sabha hinges on the legal framework and the implications of their criminal charges. If convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for two years, they will automatically lose their seats. Past cases indicate that incarcerated individuals have been granted permission to temporarily fulfill their elected duties, but the final decision will ultimately rest with the House. Singh, detained under the National Security Act (NSA), has been vocal about his initiatives against drug abuse in Punjab, while Rashid faces charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and ran for election on an Awami Ittehad Party ticket.