The health condition of incarcerated Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, has worsened as his indefinite hunger strike entered its eighth day, the Awami Ittihad Party (AIP) said on Friday. He has been shifted to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in New Delhi for medical attention.
AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi confirmed the development, stating on social media, “Er Rashid’s health worsens, shifted to RML Hospital as his hunger strike enters Day 8. The voice of 18 lakh people remains unyielding despite his critical condition…”
Er Rashid’s health worsens, shifted to RML Hospital as his hunger strike enters Day 8. The voice of 18 lakh people remains unyielding despite his critical condition.
Stand in unity and demand justice! Sharing is caring!#JusticeForErRashid #StandWithErRashid #VoiceOfThePeople…
— Inam Un Nabi انعام النبی (@inamnabi) February 7, 2025
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed concern over Rashid’s deteriorating health. “Very concerned to hear about Engineer Rashid having to be shifted to hospital. It is imperative that authorities take proper care & ensure that his condition does not deteriorate while the court arrives at a considered decision on his bail plea,” Abdullah posted on X.
Very concerned to hear about Engineer Rashid having to be shifted to hospital. It is imperative that authorities take proper care & ensure that his condition does not deteriorate while the court arrives at a considered decision on his bail plea. https://t.co/mg3Nas5v3z
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 7, 2025
Rashid has been on a hunger strike since 31 January, protesting against being denied permission to attend the ongoing Parliament session.
Delhi High Court Reserves Verdict On Rashid’s Interim Bail Plea
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Friday reserved its verdict on Rashid’s plea seeking interim bail or custody parole to attend the Budget session of Parliament, which runs until 4 April. A bench led by Justice Vikas Mahajan reserved its decision after hearing arguments from Rashid’s counsel and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing him in a terror funding case, news agency IANS reported.
During the hearing, senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing for the NIA, opposed Rashid’s plea, citing security concerns and stating that custody parole is not a vested right of a legislator. Justice Mahajan remarked, “He is an elected Member of Parliament. What is the difficulty in sending him in custody? Come back with instructions tomorrow,” while seeking NIA’s stand on the matter, as per IANS.
Rashid’s legal team has also petitioned the High Court, urging directions to expedite a decision on his pending regular bail plea. A lower court had earlier recommended transferring his case to the MP/MLA court after he was elected to the Lok Sabha.
The NIA arrested Rashid in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), accusing him of involvement in a terror funding case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also filed a money laundering case against him based on the NIA’s FIR. Rashid, who previously represented Langate in the J&K Assembly twice, won the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Baramulla while being lodged in Tihar Jail, defeating then-NC leader and current J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah by over two lakh votes. His brother, Sheikh Khurshid Ahmad, won the 2024 Assembly election from Langate.
The High Court has sought a response from its registry regarding the designation of an appropriate court to hear Rashid’s bail plea. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on 6 February. Additionally, an application has been moved before the Supreme Court seeking clarification on the designation of a court to hear cases against lawmakers, and it is expected to be mentioned before the Chief Justice of India for urgent listing.
