NIA contests Rashid Engineer's interim bail request

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is opposing a request from Jammu & Kashmir MP Rashid Engineer for interim bail to attend the current Parliament budget session. Rashid, who is already in jail, filed the plea after a city court denied him custody parole on March 10. The NIA claims that Rashid is misusing the court system by seeking the same relief in different places, a practice they describe as "forum shopping." They noted that Rashid has already asked for regular bail, which is set to be decided on March 19 by a special NIA court. The agency argues that he should not be allowed to file multiple petitions for the same request. Rashid's lawyer argued that his presence in Parliament is crucial for representing his constituents. He stated that the President had summoned him to attend the ongoing session, which began on March 10 and will last until April 4. Earlier, the Delhi high court granted Rashid a two-day custody parole to attend the first part of the budget session in February. The NIA's affidavit claims that requiring Rashid to attend the session is not a legal right. They pointed out that previous petitions for similar requests have been dismissed by the NIA special court. The agency described the President's summons as a common procedure sent to all members of Parliament, suggesting that Rashid is using it as an excuse to leave prison. The high court is due to review the case on March 25.