MP Engineer Rashid seeks interim bail amid father’s critical condition
With the father of jailed MP Engineer Rashid hospitalised and critical, the Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) on Friday said it has moved an application seeking interim bail in view of his condition.
Rashid’s father, Khazir Mohammad Sheikh, is on ventilator support.
AIP chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said Rashid’s father is “battling for his life and this is an extremely painful moment for the family”.
“At such a time, it is only humane that a father gets to see his son and a son is allowed to be beside his ailing father,” he said.
Nabi said that an interim bail application has been filed before the competent court, seeking permission for Rashid to visit his critically ill father.
“We are hopeful that the Hon’ble Court will take a compassionate and humanitarian view of the situation, considering the gravity and urgency involved,” he said.
He added that the matter goes beyond legal considerations. “This is not merely a legal matter but a deeply emotional situation that calls for empathy and sensitivity. Er Rashid’s father deserves to see his son in these critical moments and equally, Er Rashid deserves to be with his father. Humanity must prevail.”
He also urged the authorities to act with urgency, saying such gestures uphold “the values of justice, dignity and compassion”.
Several leaders in the Valley have also supported the demand for bail.
Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah “to consider granting parole to the incarcerated Member of Parliament, Engineer Rashid, so that he can be with his ailing father and distressed family members”.
“Allowing him to be with his family in this time of crisis would be a humane and dignified decision and it will be appreciated by one and all in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had on Thursday visited Srinagar’s SMHS Hospital to see Rashid’s father.
“This silent suffering of political prisoners lodged in jails across India and in Jammu and Kashmir and their families is heartbreaking,” he said.
He urged the Government of India to release Rashid “at least on humanitarian grounds”.
National Conference MLA and chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said the reports about the critical condition of Rashid’s father are “worrying”.
“We urge the authorities to consider granting parole on humanitarian grounds. May Allah grant Khazir Sahib shifa and give strength to the family,” he said.
