Jailed Baramulla Member of Parliament Abdul Rashid Sheikh popularly known as Engineer Rashid was on Monday granted interim bail by a Delhi court to attend the last rites of his father, Khazir Mohammad Sheikh, who passed away last night at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences after a prolonged illness.
Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) leader Firdous Baba said that the jailed MP was granted bail subject to previous conditions upto June 2 following the demise of his father.
The court granted relief after Rashid, lodged in Tihar Jail in a terror-funding case,moved an application seeking permission to participate in the funeral rites.
AIP chief spokesperson Inam un Nabi expressed profound grief over the death of Khazir Sheikh, describing him as a veteran teacher, noble soul and widely respected figure known for his commitment to education, morality and social values.
“Haji Khazir Sahib stood like a pillar of strength behind Er Rashid throughout his political and social journey and was admired for his simplicity, wisdom and humility,” he said.
Earlier Inam had urged the Government of India and concerned authorities to facilitate Rashid’s release so that he could bid a final farewell to his father.
“No pain can be greater than a son being deprived of bidding a final farewell to his own father,” he said, stressing that humanitarian considerations should prevail in moments of personal tragedy.
Khazir Sheikh, 85, had initially been admitted to Srinagar’s SMHS Hospital after falling ill and was later referred to AIIMS New Delhi for specialised treatment, where he breathed his last night. Rashid was earlier granted bail by an NIA court to visit his ailing father in hospital.
Meanwhile, the demise of Khazir Sheikh, father of Baramulla MP and Langate MLA Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, was widely condoled.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the passing away of Khazir Sheikh and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family. He prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the family to bear the irreparable loss.
Hurriyat chairman and Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also expressed grief over the demise and extended sympathies to Engineer Rashid and the bereaved family.
He had also appealed to the authorities on humanitarian grounds to facilitate the release of Engineer Rashid so that he could be with his family during the mourning period, saying compassion and humanitarian considerations must prevail in such moments of grief.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said she was deeply saddened by the death of Engineer Rashid’s father and prayed that Allah grant the family patience and strength during the difficult time. She also prayed for the departed soul to attain the highest place in Jannah.
Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari termed the death a profound loss and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family, especially Engineer Rashid, saying the pain of losing a father becomes even more difficult when separated from family in such circumstances.
