Family members of former Popular Front of India leaders E Abubacker and AS Ismail, jailed under UAPA in connection with the ban on the outfit in September 2022, appealed for their release, citing serious health concerns.
A letter from family members highlighted that Abubacker and Ismail are facing a life-risking situation and negligence would have fatal consequences.
Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), a coalition of political groups, backed the appeal, demanding the immediate release of the veteran Muslim leaders.
“Both activists are facing various health ailments but the Judiciary is yet again failing to grant bail on medical grounds. Moreover, even basic medical treatment has been denied by authorities in utter violation of the fundamental Right to life,” CASR said in a statement.
Abubacker, 72, is a retired schoolteacher and former PFI chairman with a history of Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. He has been undergoing intensive medical treatment and care at various hospitals since 2019 when he was diagnosed with a rare malignant form of cancer ‘ Gastroesophagal junction adenocarcinoma’.
He requires assistance for daily tasks and struggles to manage his medication schedule.
Ismail suffered a Haemorrhagic stroke in October 2024 that left him paralyzed on his right side. Despite the need for ongoing rehabilitation, he was discharged from the hospital after two days and returned to jail.
Both activists hail from south India — Abubacker from Kerala and Ismail from Tamil Nadu — making it difficult for families to routinely visit them in Delhi prison.
On November 12, 2024, the Supreme Court of India directed the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to assemble a medical team to thoroughly examine E Abubacker. After two weeks, he was sent back to jail and the medical evaluation is yet to be shared with the court and the family.
Abubacker’s son, Talal, told Maktoob that his sister has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing treatment, taking a toll on the family.
“These detainees are facing unfounded bogus ‘unlawful activity’ related charges,” families stated in a letter.
Families also said that the government has brought new charges against the detainees to prevent their early release in fabricated cases. They expressed concern about the use of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a law they claim is being used to stifle dissent and political participation.
The coalition pointed to the low conviction rate under UAPA, citing official data showing that only 222 out of 8,719 cases registered between 2014 and 2022 resulted in convictions.
“These statistics highlight the rampant and arbitrary application of UAPA,” the letter said.
