New Delhi- Abdul Rashid Sheikh could not take oath as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha on Monday despite his name being called as he is lodged in jail since 2019 after being charged by the NIA in a terror-funding case.
Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, defeated former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah to win the parliamentary polls from the Baramulla seat as an Independent candidate.
He is currently lodged in Tihar jail.
A Delhi court on Saturday asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to respond by July 1 to an application filed by Rashid, seeking interim bail to take oath as an MP.
Additional Sessions Judge Kiran Gupta fixed the matter for hearing on July 1 and directed the NIA to file its reply by then.
Days after describing Engineer Rashid’s victory as a boost to separatism in Kashmir, National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Monday demanded Rashid’s release, emphasizing that the incarcerated MP-elect must be allowed to represent the people of North Kashmir in Parliament.”It is important to acknowledge that while the people of North Kashmir have elected Engineer Rashid, he should be given the opportunity to take his oath and represent his constituents. It is equally important to recognize the injustice faced by those imprisoned, who are unable or unwilling to participate in elections,” Omar Abdulla said.
“Our Members of Parliament will vociferously demand justice for all prisoners, including Engineer Rashid. We will also demand the immediate transfer of these prisoners held in jails outside J&K back to jails in Kashmir, pending their release.”
“One of our main demands will be a broader amnesty for all individuals detained after August 5, 2019,” he added.
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