Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, commonly known as Engineer Rashid, has been granted interim bail by the Delhi Patiala House Court on Tuesday. The court’s decision comes ahead of the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, scheduled for September 18, 25, and October 1, reported The Hindustan Times.
Engineer Rashid, who was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2017 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), sought interim bail in light of the elections. The NIA had filed charges against Rashid and several others, including prominent Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin.
The court’s ruling offers temporary relief to Engineer Rashid, who has been an influential political figure in Jammu and Kashmir. He recently won the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat, defeating National Conference leader and former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Jammu and Kashmir’s electoral landscape involves 87.09 lakh voters, including 42.6 lakh women, across 90 constituencies. The upcoming elections are crucial, and Rashid’s involvement in the political process, pending his legal battles, will be closely watched.
The decision to grant interim bail is expected to play a significant role in the dynamics of the upcoming elections, potentially impacting the political landscape in the region.
