Delhi High Court Deliberates on Detained MP's Travel Cost Dispute

The Delhi High Court reserved its decision on MP Engineer Rashid's plea to modify an order requiring him to pay Rs 4 lakh for attending Parliament while in custody. Arguments centered on whether the cost, including escorting officials' salaries, should be Rashid's responsibility or the jail authorities'.

The Delhi High Court has reserved its decision on a plea by jailed Jammu & Kashmir MP, Engineer Rashid, who is contesting an order to deposit funds for travel expenses to attend Parliament while in custody. The court's bench, consisting of Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Anup Jairam Bhambhani, heard submissions from Rashid, Delhi Police, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The court questioned why Rashid should bear the travel costs, given that he is in custody, suggesting that such expenses should be covered by the jail authorities since the jail essentially 'travels' with him. Rashid's lawyer highlighted that Delhi Police's charge includes police escort salaries, which are not covered under the Delhi Prison Rules, suggesting Rashid could only pay limited costs like meals.

Previously, the court requested a breakdown of the Rs 4 lakh charge, as Rashid has already incurred Rs 17 lakh in travel expenses for Parliament sessions. Rashid faces trial in a terror-funding case linked to separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to his incarceration in Delhi's Tihar Jail since 2019.

(With inputs from agencies.)