Delhi Court Lets MP Engineer Rashid Attend Budget Session

New Delhi — In a city where Parliament Road sees more action than Lajpat Nagar on a Sunday, a new political buzz is spreading through Delhi chai stalls and newsroom WhatsApp groups: jailed MP Engineer Rashid has been granted custody parole to attend the Budget Session. This decision by a Delhi court has not just raised eyebrows—it’s sparked a full-blown footpath debate about rights, representation, and practicality.

An MP, in Custody, Back in the House

On Tuesday, a Delhi court approved custody parole for independent MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, widely known as Engineer Rashid, allowing him to attend the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament. Currently lodged in Tihar Jail under provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Rashid’s court plea argued that as a sitting Member of Parliament from Jammu and Kashmir, he has the right—and responsibility—to represent his constituency in matters of national importance.

The court’s nod comes with conditions: tight security, coordination with Tihar Jail authorities, and a detailed schedule of his movements. The Parliament is less than 8 kilometers from Tihar, but this short trip is now a logistical ballet involving police convoys, coordinated entry timings, and layered security briefings.

The courtroom, located within Patiala House near India Gate, was tightly monitored as the decision dropped. Locals standing at paan stalls nearby said the atmosphere outside resembled “ek bada-order aane wala-chehra”—the kind of hushed tension you feel right before the judge says something game-changing.

Real Talk: What It Means for Delhiites

This court decision might seem far from Dilli walla’s everyday concerns like getting a cab near Rajiv Chowk or surviving Karol Bagh’s Saturday rush. But the implications run deeper than politics. For students in Delhi University’s Faculty of Law or Jamia Millia, this is a real-time lesson in how the Indian legal system balances rights with national security.

Office-goers in Civil Lines and government staff living in Moti Bagh might soon see boosted security checkpoints near Parliament and Tihar routes. Residents near Chanakyapuri mention that “a sudden increase in VIP convoy movement” has caused a few traffic jams during early morning hours—something to watch if your workplace is anywhere near Central Secretariat or Khan Market.

Small businesses near Sansad Marg, including tea vendors and book sellers, say weekday foot traffic has become strangely unpredictable. “Usually, budget days bring extra crowd—paper walas, journalists, interns… now with this MP coming, security is karwaa, gate control is extra strict,” a shopkeeper near Rafi Marg told us.

How We Got Here

Engineer Rashid, once an MLA in Jammu and Kashmir, was arrested in 2019 under charges linked to terror funding. Since then, he has been behind bars awaiting trial—but still managed to scratch out a win in the 2024 General Elections from Baramulla, a region in north Kashmir with its own share of electoral complexities.

His victory put the spotlight on how jailed politicians navigate legal rights while in custody. Unlike cities like Mumbai where court-to-legislature commutes are longer, Delhi’s unique centralization of political, judicial, and law enforcement spaces allows such custody paroles to be considered practically feasible. Yet, this case is far from routine—and it’s already being compared in legal circles to the earlier cases of Abu Salem or Afzal Guru, albeit with significantly different political and legal contexts.

What You Should Do If You’re in the Area

If commuting via the Yellow or Violet Line, account for detours around Central Secretariat and Patel Chowk, especially during peak session hours (11 AM – 3 PM).
Avoid scheduling meetings or deliveries near Parliament Street or Ashoka Road unless absolutely essential—motorcade movements will cause stop-and-go delays.
If you’re near Patiala House Courts during midday, carry an ID and avoid large bags—security checks have increased even for passersby, say local vendors.

📍 Spot Check: Rafi Marg, Chanakyapuri, Patel Chowk Metro Station, and Tilak Marg are key impact areas for security routing. Expect increased policing and traffic advisories during Budget Session days.

The Final Word

Delhi’s streets may be crammed with honking autos and street-side momo carts, but the real action often unfolds quietly behind courthouse glass and parliamentary walls. Engineer Rashid’s parole reminds us that legal systems have to stretch and hold—even under politically tense circumstances. Is this a win for democracy, or a grey zone that invites more questions than answers?