The Baramulla MP is lodged in Tihar jail since 2019 following his arrest by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in a 2017 terror funding case.
The custody parole was granted by additional sessions judge Chander Jit Singh. A detailed order is awaited.
Rashid had sought either an interim bail or custody parole to carry out his duty as a parliamentarian. In custody parole, a prisoner is escorted by armed police personnel to the plea.
Rashid’s counsel had earlier submitted his client should be allowed to attend the parliamentary session by granting interim bail. Alternatively, Rashid could be allowed custody parole, without payment of travel costs, the advocate added.
The NIA opposed interim bail but said custody parole could be granted only after payment of travel expenses.Rashid had defeated Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He is facing trial in a terror funding case with allegations that he funded separatists and terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir.According to the NIA’s FIR, Rashid’s name cropped up during the interrogation of businessman and co-accused Zahoor Watali.
Rashid was chargesheeted in October 2019. A special NIA court framed charges against Rashid and others in March 2022 under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging war against the government), and 124A (sedition) of IPC and for offences relating to terrorist acts and terror funding under UAPA.
(With PTI inputs)
