Engineer Rashid released from jail, pledges to oppose 'naya Kashmir' narrative

Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, walked free from Tihar Jail on Wednesday after being granted interim bail by a Delhi court.

Rashid, the Lok Sabha MP from Baramulla, had been imprisoned since 2019 in connection with a terror funding case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The court’s decision allows him to campaign for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, with his bail extended until October 2.

Upon his release, Rashid expressed his determination to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Naya Kashmir' agenda, stating, "After 5.5 years in jail, I feel stronger and prouder of my people. I pledge not to let them down and to fight against Modi's failed narrative of 'Naya Kashmir' that was rejected by the people after the August 2019 changes."

Rashid was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2019 in a 2017 terror funding case. His release comes just ahead of the highly anticipated Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the first local elections since the abrogation of Article 370. Rashid's Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) is expected to contest the elections.

The elections will be held in three phases—September 18, 25, and October 1 - with results to be declared on October 8.

Engineer Rashid, who notably defeated former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla, was released after posting a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh and a surety of the same amount. As part of his bail conditions, he is prohibited from discussing the ongoing terror case with the media.