The Supreme Court on Friday rejected the interim bail plea of Popular Front of India (PFI) leader A.S. Ismail, who is currently in custody under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), citing the availability of necessary medical facilities within Tihar Jail.
A bench comprising Justices K.V. Viswanathan and N. Kotiswar Singh disposed of Ismail’s petition after noting the Delhi government’s assurance that physiotherapy, as required by the accused, is accessible in Tihar Jail. Senior counsel Archana Pathak Dave, representing the State, informed the court that physiotherapy services are available in Jail No. 1 and could also be arranged in Jail No. 3, depending on medical recommendations.
The bench had earlier denied Ismail’s request for interim bail on medical grounds and instead sought a report from Tihar authorities on the availability of appropriate medical care within the prison premises. Upon receiving confirmation, the Court found no further grounds to entertain the plea and accordingly closed the matter.
Ismail, a former president of PFI’s Tamil Nadu unit and a member of its National Executive Council, has been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on allegations of radicalising Muslim youth and inciting them against the Indian state. He is also a former member of the now-banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).
The NIA has accused Ismail of participating in a larger conspiracy to establish Islamic rule in India through unlawful means and ideologies.
The Court’s order today reaffirms its stance that medical care, unless proven insufficient within jail premises, does not warrant release on bail.
