The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) regarding a bail plea by E Abubacker, the former chairman of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI). Abubacker, seeking release on medical grounds, has been in custody since his arrest in 2022 during a nationwide crackdown on the organization.
A bench consisting of Justices MM Sundresh and Aravind Kumar, after reviewing Abubacker’s plea, which challenges a prior Delhi High Court order denying him bail, has called for the NIA’s response. The High Court, on May 28, had upheld the trial court’s decision to reject bail, citing strong evidence presented against him in the charge sheet, including allegations of links with the previously banned SIMI.
The case against Abubacker includes serious charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), accusing him and other PFI members of conspiring to commit acts of terror across India and recruiting and training individuals for such activities. The High Court noted that the evidence pointed to objectives that threatened the unity and sovereignty of India, including alleged plans for targeted killings and establishing a Caliphate by 2047.
During the hearing, Abubacker’s legal representation argued that his deteriorating health, specifically Parkinson’s disease and a history of cancer treatment, necessitated his release. However, the High Court had previously stated that the trial court had already made adequate provisions for his medical care, asserting that he could be transported to AIIMS Delhi if necessary without prior formal court directions.
The Supreme Court’s notice comes as the case nears the charge ascertainment stage, with expectations set for all accused to cooperate fully to expedite the trial process. The crackdown on PFI, culminating in its ban on September 28, 2022, was part of a multi-agency operation, resulting in numerous detentions and arrests across various states, linking the organization to global terror groups like ISIS.
