Engineer Rashid’s father passes away; jailed MP granted bail to attend funeral

Srinagar: The father of Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, passed away at a Delhi hospital on Monday. He was 85.

Confirming the death, Awami Itihaad Party spokesperson Inam Un Nabi was quoted as saying that Haji Khazir Mohammad Sheikh, father of the jailed MP, was no more.

Nabi had also urged the Government of India and the concerned authorities to facilitate Rashid’s temporary release so he could attend his father’s last rites. “No pain can be greater than a son being deprived of bidding a final farewell to his own father,” he said.

Later, Rashid was granted bail to attend his father’s funeral in Langate, his family confirmed to Kashmir News Observer. Family members said he has been allowed to participate in the last rites after the death of his father, who had been undergoing treatment at AIIMS Delhi. He has been granted bail till June 2.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court had granted interim bail to Rashid on April 28, allowing him to visit his ailing father at Srinagar’s SMHS Hospital after his party moved the court seeking relief. After spending a few days with his family, he returned to Tihar Jail on May 6. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah had also sought his release.

The last rites of Haji Khazir Mohammad Sheikh would be held at his native village in Langate in north Kashmir.

Rashid was arrested in 2019, following which the National Investigation Agency booked him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in an alleged terror-funding case.