New Delhi: A chapter in the political saga of Engineer Rashid, the outspoken MP for Baramulla, is set to conclude on Monday as his interim bail expires.
Rashid, who has been in Tihar Jail since 2019 following his arrest by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a 2017 terror funding case, departed from Srinagar Airport on a flight back to the New Delhi prison.
The Awami Ittihaad Party (AIP) Chief, accompanied by his party’s chief spokesperson Inam-un-Nabi, faced the prospect of returning to prison after numerous extensions to his interim bail. Initially granted bail on September 7th to campaign in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Rashid’s bail was extended several times, culminating in a final extension until October 28th. The court is set to rule on his regular bail plea later today.
Rashid’s recent return to the political arena has been marked by both successes and setbacks. He successfully contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as an Independent candidate from Baramulla, defeating incumbent Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The AIP also fielded candidates in the recently concluded Assembly elections, with Rashid campaigning extensively across the Kashmir Valley.
However, his political activities have been overshadowed by his ongoing legal battles. He was arrested in 2019 by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and remains embroiled in a terror funding case. His interim bail was extended on several occasions, citing his father’s health and the NIA eventually did not oppose his application.
