New Delhi, Oct 16 The Supreme Court on Friday allowed Popular Front of India’s (PFI) founding chairman E Abubacker, arrested in a case under anti-terror law UAPA, to undergo treatment at a Delhi hospital but imposed certain conditions.
A bench of justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale directed him to bear the expenses of treatment at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket and said he shall be accompanied by one family member.
“Petitioner shall also pay requisite charges for escort. We make it clear attendant should not carry objectionable items. We request the hospital to file a report on further course of treatment required along with possible period of stay. Cost of hospital shall be borne by the petitioner,” the bench said.
Justice Sundresh orally remarked that the court cannot be insensitive towards things and as a judge “you have to mix it with some sympathy”.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the National Investigation Agency (NIA), submitted that Abubacker may be sent to Max hospital for treatment for one week.
“Secondly, no devices in hospital. Thirdly, no outsiders can meet him in the hospital. Police will be outside the room at his cost,” Raju said.
A Delhi court had earlier rejected the bail plea of Abubacker, arrested for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to overthrow the Indian government and establish an Islamic caliphate by 2047.
According to the central anti-terror agency, the PFI, its office bearers and members hatched a criminal conspiracy to raise funds for committing acts of terror in various parts of the country and were organising camps to indoctrinate and train their cadre for this purpose.
Abubacker claimed he is in his 70s, has Parkinson’s disease, and had also undergone surgery for treatment of cancer. He contended that on merits too, he was entitled to get bail as the NIA has “miserably” failed to put together a case against him.
A large number of alleged PFI activists were detained or arrested in several states during raids preceding the nationwide ban on the organisation in September 2022.
In near-simultaneous raids across the country as part of a multi-agency operation spearheaded by the NIA, a large number of PFI activists were detained or arrested in 11 states for allegedly supporting terrorist activities in the country.
Abubacker was arrested on September 22, 2022.
The government banned the PFI and several of its associate organisations on September 28, 2022 for five years under the stringent anti-terror law, accusing them of having links with global terror groups like the ISIS.
(PTI News)
