The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea by former Popular Front of India (PFI) Chairman Erappungal Abubacker, who sought his release in the UAPA case being investigated by the NIA.
E Abubacker, apprehended by the anti-terror agency during a massive crackdown on the banned organization in 2022 and currently lodged in judicial custody, approached the high court after being denied relief by the trial court. He had initially moved the trial court seeking interim bail on medical grounds.
A division bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain dismissed the ex-PFI chairman’s appeal.
Abubacker sought his release on both merit and medical grounds. As per the National Investigation Agency (NIA) , the Popular Front of India (PFI), its office bearers, and members conspired to raise funds for committing acts of terror in various parts of the country and were conducting training camps to indoctrinate and train their cadres for this purpose.
Nationwide Crackdown
In September 2022, a large number of alleged PFI activists were detained or arrested in several states during the massive raids that preceded the organization’s nationwide ban.
In nearly simultaneous raids across the country as part of a multi-agency operation led by the NIA, a large number of PFI activists were detained or arrested in 11 states for allegedly supporting terrorist activities in the country.
The former PFI chairman was apprehended on September 22nd, 2022.
The arrests occurred in several states and union territories, including Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Delhi, and Rajasthan.
Ban and Accusations
On September 28, 2022, the government banned the PFI and several of its associate organisations for five years under the Unlawful Activities Act, a stringent anti-terror law, accusing them of having links to global terror groups such as ISIS.
Medical Care Directive
In February, the High Court directed the Medical Superintendent of Tihar Jail to provide Abubacker with “efficacious” treatment for his ailments on a regular basis.
It also refused to place Abubacker under house arrest, saying he would be taken to a hospital for treatment if necessary.
