Vice presidential elections: Jailed Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid moves Delhi court; seeks approval to vote

NEW DELHI: Sheikh Abdul Rashid , the jailed MP from Baramulla, also known as Engineer Rashid , has asked a Delhi court for permission to cast his vote in the Vice-Presidential election due on September 9.

Rashid, who is being held in Tihar Jail in a terror funding case, filed his plea before the Special NIA Court at Patiala House. His lawyers said the court is expected to decide on the request later today.

Under election rules, MPs must vote in person to elect the Vice-President, which means Rashid can only take part if the court allows it, as per ANI.

The Baramulla MP had earlier been granted custody parole to attend the monsoon session of Parliament, enabling him to join House proceedings despite being in custody.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Rashid had registered a major victory, defeating current CM Omar Abdullah in Baramulla.

He is on trial in a case investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that links him to terror funding. His name allegedly came up during the questioning of businessman Zahoor Watali, who is a co-accused in the matter.

The NIA first chargesheeted Rashid in October 2019. In March 2022, a Special NIA Court framed charges against him and several others under sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the Government of India) and 124A (sedition). He also faces charges under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) related to terrorism and terror financing.