Engineer Rashid Walks Free: Pre-Election Bail Granted

Engineer Rashid, an MP from Baramulla, has been released on interim bail from Tihar Jail, allowing him to campaign for the forthcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. His release comes in the wake of his arrest by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for a 2017 terror funding case.

Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid walked out of Tihar Jail on Wednesday, just a day after a local court granted him interim bail till October 2 in a terror funding case, enabling him to campaign for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls.

Rashid, who has been imprisoned since 2019 following his arrest by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act related to a 2017 terror funding case, was released at 4.15 pm, confirmed a senior prison official.

Known as Engineer Rashid, Sheikh Abdul Rashid made headlines by defeating former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Baramulla. The results for the impending Assembly elections, set to occur in three phases—September 18, September 25, and October 1—will be declared on October 8. Rashid's political outfit, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), is also contesting in these elections.

Earlier in the day, Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh approved Rashid's release on a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh and one surety of the same amount. Judge Singh imposed conditions on the bail, including barring Rashid from speaking to the media about the case.

(With inputs from agencies.)