Supreme Court Postpones Hearing on Medical Bail for Former PFI Chairman Until January 17

New Delhi, Jan 10 (NationPress) The Supreme Court remarked on Friday that there was nothing so serious in the medical reports concerning Erappungal Abubacker, the former Chairman of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), who is requesting bail on humanitarian and medical bases.

After Abubacker's attorney pointed out that the medical documents were not provided to the petitioner, a bench led by Justice M. M. Sundresh ordered that a copy of the medical records be shared with the petitioner's legal team and rescheduled the matter for another hearing on January 17.

The bench, which included Justice Rajesh Bindal, stated, “There is nothing so serious in the medical document.”

Previously, in November 2024, the bench headed by Justice Sundresh decided to reschedule the hearing until after the December holidays.

It clarified that the ongoing case concerning Abubacker in the Supreme Court would not prevent the High Court from evaluating his bail request based on medical grounds related to the money laundering case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The Supreme Court had instructed a panel of doctors at AIIMS Delhi to examine Abubacker. The court mandated that the former PFI leader be taken to AIIMS Delhi, where a medical panel would perform a thorough examination as an in-patient and would consider the bail request based on the medical findings.

Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, representing the National Investigation Agency (NIA), argued that Abubacker was not an ordinary criminal and there was evidence suggesting he was instructing several individuals in terrorist activities.

SG Mehta also noted that Abubacker had previously declined treatment when taken to the hospital. In May of the prior year, the Delhi High Court found no “compelling reason” to grant him release based on his medical condition.

According to the report from the Medical Officer In charge at the Central Jail Dispensary, although he was referred to AIIMS Hospital for admission, he opted not to go there, stated a Division Bench consisting of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain.

The bench added that the allegations and assertions in the charge sheet, along with testimonies from witnesses, including protected witnesses, provide clear evidence that the prosecution's case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) is prima facie valid.

In May 2024, the Delhi High Court dismissed Abubacker's plea, stating, “There is nothing presented to us that indicates a violation of his fundamental rights. Regarding his medical issues, the trial court has already issued the necessary orders, which we also find to be appropriate.”

Abubacker was apprehended by the NIA on September 22, 2022, and charged under UAPA provisions. He has remained in judicial custody since October 6, 2022. He was previously involved in groups such as the Ideal Students League, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

Abubacker claims to suffer from various health issues, including a rare type of esophageal cancer, Parkinson's Disease, hypertension, diabetes, and vision impairment. The PFI, considered an extremist Islamic organization promoting its ideologies, was outlawed by the Union government in September 2022.