Engineer Rashid Seeks Bail To Take Oath After Defeating Omar Abdullah In Lok Sabha Elections

After winning the Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir, Engineer Rashid, who is accused in a terror funding case, has approached the Patiala House Court in Delhi seeking interim bail to take the oath as a Member of Parliament (MP).

Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jeet Singh of Patiala House Court has issued a notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) regarding the interim bail plea and requested a reply. Although the petition was filed on June 5 and listed for a hearing today, the NIA did not submit any reply, leading the case to be rescheduled for June 7 for the filing of the reply.

Accused in Terror Funding Case

Rashid has requested custody parole to take the oath and perform parliamentary duties. Rashid won the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency with a margin of over two lakh votes. He has been in jail since 2019, following his arrest by the NIA under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with a terror funding case.

According to Election Commission data released on June 4, Engineer Rashid defeated Omar Abdullah by a margin of 2,04,142 votes. Rashid secured a total of 4,72,481 votes, while Omar Abdullah received 2,68,339 votes. Sajjad Lone finished third with 1,73,239 votes.

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Rashid Engineer’s Political Background

Rashid has previously served as an MLA twice from the Langate constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, winning in 2008 and 2014. He also contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections but was unsuccessful. He has contested all these elections as an independent candidate.

His two sons, Asrar Rashid and Abrar Rashid, led his election campaign. They expressed confidence in their father’s victory based on the large crowds at the rallies.