SRINAGAR — The Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) on Saturday appealed to the judiciary to urgently consider the bail plea of its president and Baramulla Member of Parliament, Er. Rashid, marking seven years since his incarceration.
Addressing a press conference, AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, State Secretary Sheikh Ashiq and General Secretary Nazir Ahmad Khan said the continued detention of an elected MP for seven years without conclusion of trial was “not merely a legal issue but a matter concerning constitutional values and personal liberty.”
Inam appealed directly to Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant to consider Er. Rashid’s bail plea “with compassion, urgency and constitutional fairness.” He invoked the principle that bail is the rule and jail is the exception, while stressing the party was not seeking special treatment.
“We are not questioning the judicial process. We have complete faith in the judiciary. Our only request is that justice must not be delayed, particularly when personal liberty is at stake,” Inam said.
He also cited Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, arguing that prolonged incarceration combined with trial delays warranted the “highest judicial consideration.”
According to Inam, Er. Rashid represents nearly 40 percent of Kashmir’s population, and his continued absence has deprived his constituents of seven years of parliamentary representation and public service.
Development in Delhi court proceedings
The AIP also referred to proceedings before the Court of the Additional Sessions Judge, Patiala House Courts, New Delhi, dated July 6, 2026.
Inam said Mohammad Yasin Malik, appearing via video conferencing, told the court that the investigating agency had wrongly implicated Er. Rashid by attributing to him the identity of “Sheikh Abdul Rashid” named in an alleged email. According to Inam, Malik told the court that a different individual named Sheikh Abdul Rashid was associated with the JKLF, and that investigators had wrongly identified Er. Rashid in his place.
Inam said Malik submitted an affidavit on the matter, which was taken on record by the court and would be considered while passing orders on charge.
“For years, Er. Rashid has maintained that the Sheikh Abdul Rashid referred to in the alleged communication was not him but another individual bearing the same name. Today, that very contention has been placed before the Court by Yasin Malik himself and has been supported through an affidavit taken on record,” Inam said.
Inam clarified that the AIP was not seeking to prejudge the matter, noting that the final determination rests with the court. He said that if the identity contention were ultimately accepted, it could substantially weaken one of the allegations against Er. Rashid.
Party’s appeal
The AIP said the development further underlined the need for judicial consideration of Er. Rashid’s prolonged incarceration, personal liberty and the evidentiary basis of the allegations against him.
Inam also expressed solidarity with Er. Rashid’s family, saying they had endured seven years of “separation, uncertainty and emotional hardship.”
The party reiterated its faith in the Supreme Court of India, the Constitution and the judicial process, while seeking urgent and fair consideration of the bail plea.
