SRINAGAR: Baramulla Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid was released from Tihar jail on Tuesday after being granted interim bail. He immediately flew to Srinagar and then traveled to Handwara in the frontier Kupwara district to participate in the funeral of his father, the late Khazir Mohammad Sheikh, at his ancestral village Mawar Payeen.
Interim Bail Granted by Delhi High Court
The Delhi High Court on Monday granted Rashid interim bail until June 2, 2026, following an urgent request made after the death of his father earlier that day at AIIMS, New Delhi. Rashid had sought permission to perform the funeral rites of his father.
Address to Mourners
Addressing mourners at the funeral, Rashid emphasized that his political struggle transcends issues such as Article 370 or statehood. He stated that his fight is fundamentally linked to justice, dignity, and respect for the people. "I have no animosity with anyone. My fight is for the identity and dignity of people," he said.
Background of the Case
Rashid, founder of the Awami Itihaad Party (AIP), has been incarcerated in Tihar jail since August 9, 2019, following his arrest by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a terror-funding case. The arrest occurred four days after the abrogation of Article 370. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he won from Baramulla by a significant margin, defeating Omar Abdullah, who is currently the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
Rashid asserted his resilience, stating, "The walls of Tihar cannot break me down. I have not done anything wrong."
