Delhi High Court Permits MP Rashid To Visit Father In AIIMS Till May 10

NEW DELHI, May 5: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday permitted jailed Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, to meet his ailing father at AIIMS Delhi for 12 hours daily till May 10.

The court modified its earlier interim bail order in a terror funding case, allowing Rashid to meet his father—who has been admitted to AIIMS Delhi—between 8 am and 8 pm every day. After the visit, he will return to jail.

A bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Madhu Jain clarified that all other earlier conditions would remain unchanged, including the presence of at least two plainclothes police personnel, who will stay outside the hospital ward.

The court also reiterated that Rashid would be allowed to use a mobile phone during the permitted hours, while rejecting objections raised by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which had cautioned against possible misuse.

The bench directed that the police officials will remain stationed outside his father’s ward inside AIIMS and ensured that security protocols are maintained.

The interim bail earlier granted on April 28 was set to expire on May 6. The court had originally allowed Rashid either to visit Srinagar or remain at home to meet his father, who has since been shifted to Delhi.

During the hearing, Rashid’s counsel informed the court that a rented accommodation had been arranged in Delhi as he has no relatives in the city. However, the court declined to allow residential stay, noting security concerns and the absence of proper verification.

Accepting the NIA’s submission, the court said it would not permit verification of a new address at this stage and allowed only hospital visits during fixed hours.

Rashid, arrested in 2019 in a terror funding case linked to alleged separatist networks, remains lodged in Tihar Jail. He has been chargesheeted under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.