Indian SC denies bail to ailing Muslim leader despite serious health concerns
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Friday denied the plea of E Abubacker, a veteran Muslim leader and former Chairman of the banned organization Popular Front of India (PFI), for bail on medical grounds despite his grave health conditions.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Abubacker, 72, suffers from multiple serious ailments including Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, hypertension, and a rare form of cancer, ‘Gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma’.
Abubacker, who has been in judicial custody since the 2022 crackdown on PFI under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), had sought bail on medical grounds. His legal team presented a medical report highlighting the critical nature of his conditions, arguing that his deteriorating health warranted urgent care outside prison. However, a bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal rejected the plea, stating that they were not inclined to grant bail at this stage, leaving Abubacker with the option to approach the trial court.
Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayan, representing Abubacker, cited precedents where bail was granted in similar cases on humanitarian grounds, but the bench refused to extend such considerations.
On the other hand, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), represented by Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, argued that Abubacker’s medical conditions had been managed through treatment, implying that his health concerns were not dire enough to warrant bail.
The rejection of bail raises important questions about the priorities of India’s judicial system, particularly in cases involving Muslim detainees. Critics argue that such decisions not only fail to take into account the humane aspects of justice but also reflect the ongoing bias against Muslim figures who are caught in the crosshairs of India’s crackdown on dissent.
Abubacker, a retired schoolteacher, has been undergoing extensive medical care since his cancer diagnosis in 2019, requiring constant assistance for daily activities. This refusal to grant bail despite the clear humanitarian concerns is yet another stark reminder of the lack of compassion extended to detainees who belong to marginalized communities, particularly Muslims, under India’s current political climate.