Archive · 14 Nov 2025
Delhi HC to Hold Hearing on MP Rashid's Plea Against Travel Costs for Parliament
An MP from Kashmir named Abdul Rashid Sheikh is in jail and wants to go to Parliament to do his job.
The court had a disagreement about who should pay for him to go.
One judge said he doesn't have the right to go if he's in jail, and another judge said he does have the right but should only pay for travel, not for all the police who have to go with him.
The state said it would cost about 4 lakh rupees for him to go.
The case had to go to a new judge because the first two judges couldn't agree.
This new judge will decide if they need more judges to listen to the case again or if they can make a final decision.
The hearing is set for January.
Delhi High Court to hold a preliminary hearing on January 14 regarding jailed MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh's plea against costs for attending Parliament.
A split verdict by a division bench necessitated referring the matter to a single judge, Justice Ravinder Dudeja.
One judge ruled Sheikh has no right to attend Parliament in custody, while another held him liable only for transportation costs, not police escort charges.
Sheikh is seeking modification of an earlier order requiring him to deposit approximately Rs 4 lakh for attending Parliament sessions.
Sheikh has been in Tihar Jail since 2019, facing trial in a terror funding case.
- Who
- Jailed Jammu and Kashmir MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh
- What
- Plea against order on costs for attending Parliament while in custody, following a split verdict by a division bench.
- When
- Preliminary hearing scheduled for January 14, with the split verdict delivered on November 7.
- Where
- Delhi High Court
- Why
- To decide whether the appeal should be re-heard by a larger bench or if a verdict can be delivered by a single judge following a disagreement between two judges on the MP's right and liabilities regarding attending Parliament sessions.
Justice Chaudhary's Stance
Justice Bhambhani's Stance
Right to Attend Parliament in Custody
Justice Chaudhary's Stance
MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh does not have a right to attend Parliament proceedings while in lawful custody.
Justice Bhambhani's Stance
An elected Member of Parliament has a solemn obligation to his constituents to represent them in Lok Sabha proceedings.
Costs for Attending Parliament
Justice Chaudhary's Stance
Rashid is liable to deposit approximately Rs 4 lakh to attend Parliament in custody, and the request to attend is not an emergent situation.
Justice Bhambhani's Stance
Rashid is only liable to pay reasonable costs towards transportation, not charges for accompanying police officers. Daily costs for jail van and escort vehicles are Rs 1,036 and Rs 1,020 respectively.
- MP
- Abdul Rashid Sheikh
- Jail Location
- Tihar Jail, Delhi
- Arrested By
- NIA
- Case Type
- Terror funding case (2017)
- Charges
- Criminal conspiracy, waging war against government, sedition, terror acts, terror funding under UAPA
- Hearing Date
- January 14