Incarcerated Baramulla Member of Parliament (MP) Abdul Rashid Sheikh, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, has moved the Delhi High Court challenging the ₹1.45 lakh daily travel expense required for his commute from Tihar Jail to Parliament.
Earlier, the Delhi High Court had permitted Rashid—currently in judicial custody—to attend parliamentary sessions under specific conditions, including bearing his own travel costs. However, Rashid is now seeking the removal of this condition, contending that the exorbitant expense could effectively bar him from representing his constituency.
During a hearing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, Rashid’s counsel, Advocate Vikhyat Oberoi, informed the court that authorities had quoted the daily travel cost at ₹1.45 lakh.
The bench questioned whether the matter should be addressed in an appeal and whether the government should determine the expense. Oberoi clarified that Rashid was not requesting a reduction in the amount but rather the complete removal of the condition. He argued that Rashid had previously been allowed to attend Parliament twice without such a requirement and that his inability to pay would leave Baramulla without parliamentary representation.
The court observed that Rashid’s attendance was permitted under a conditional order and inquired whether he sought its modification. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing.
Rashid, currently detained in Tihar Jail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in a terror funding case, has been in custody since 2019. Despite his incarceration, he contested and won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla, defeating Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah by over two lakh votes.
Following his victory, Rashid approached the Delhi High Court for permission to attend Parliament. On March 26, the court granted his request but imposed the condition that he cover the cost of his travel between jail and Parliament—(KNO)