JNM journalist Hardeep Jamwal, Jammu
The Delhi High Court has granted Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid relief, allowing him to visit his ailing father at AIIMS Delhi for 12 hours daily until May 10. According to the court order, Rashid will be able to stay with his father from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., but after that, he will be required to return to Tihar Jail.
On Tuesday, a bench of Justices Pratibha M. Singh and Madhu Jain, while hearing the case, amended the earlier interim bail order. The court clarified that Rashid will be allowed to visit his father at AIIMS every day, but will remain in jail at night.
For security reasons, the court also directed that at least two plainclothes police officers accompany Rashid and be stationed outside his father’s ward in the hospital. However, the court rejected the NIA’s request to revoke his mobile phone use permission.
The court stated that the purpose of this order was solely to allow Rashid to spend time with his ailing father. It also clarified that all other conditions remain in effect.
It should be noted that engineer Rashid has been incarcerated in Delhi’s Tihar Jail since 2019 after being arrested in a 2017 terror funding case. He has been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and serious sections of the Indian Penal Code.
This decision is being seen as a humanitarian relief, maintaining the strictness of the law while also respecting family sentiments.
