New Delhi: A Special NIA Court in Delhi allowed Engineer Rashid, the jailed Member of Parliament from Baramulla and president of the Awami Itihaad Party (AIP), to attend the ongoing Lok Sabha session from July 24 to August 4, 2025. The permission, however, comes wrapped in tight restrictions. He will remain under constant watch, escorted daily from Tihar Jail to Parliament and back, with no access to mobile phones, no contact with the media and no communication with anyone outside the House.
His physical presence will be permitted inside Parliament only during session hours. Once proceedings end, he will be sent straight back to jail, even if it means late hours. The court has directed that every rupee of travel, security and related arrangements must be paid by Rashid himself.
This development sparked reactions from his party.
AIP’s chief spokesperson Inam un-Nabi expressed a mix of relief and anger. The decision, he said, gives the impression of a reluctant nod rather than recognition of a democratic mandate. “Yes, he is allowed to attend (Parliament’s proceedings). But why only for 12 days? Why should he pay for it all himself? These terms are not only strict, but designed to humiliate,” he said, speaking from Srinagar.
He also questioned the “inconsistency” in the court’s approach. “This is the same judge who earlier gave him interim bail during elections. He was even allowed an extension to continue campaigning. What changed now? Why has the court drawn a line suddenly and so narrowly?” he asked.
The party is now planning its next move.
