Abdul Rashid Sheikh, also known as Er. Rashid, finally took his oath as Member of Parliament from the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency on Friday. The 56-year-old politician has been incarcerated in Delhi’s Tihar Jail for over five years under accusations of militant funding, charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
On 2nd July, the Delhi Patiala House Court granted him a two-hour custody parole, following the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) consent, to permit the oath-taking, albeit after numerous delays.
The ceremony was attended by several of Er. Rashid’s family members, including his sons Asrar Rashid and Abrar Rashid, his daughter, his wife, his brother Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, and at least two other party officials.
Attendees were allowed entry upon presenting identity cards and were prohibited from using phones and the internet during the event.
After the ceremony, Er. Rashid was allowed to briefly interact with his family before being escorted back to jail. He was not permitted to speak to the media or any unrelated individuals, as per the court’s directives.
