Civil liberties groups seek humanitarian release of ailing former PFI chairman Abubacker

By A Representative

The civil rights coalition Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) has expressed concern over the health condition of E. Abubacker, former chairman of the Popular Front of India (PFI), who has been in judicial custody for over three and a half years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The organisation has called for his release on humanitarian and medical grounds.

The Popular Front of India was banned by the Government of India in September 2022 under the UAPA, with authorities alleging its involvement in activities considered prejudicial to national security. Following the ban, several leaders and members of the organisation were arrested in cases investigated by agencies including the National Investigation Agency (NIA). E. Abubacker, a retired school teacher and journalist, was among those taken into custody and remains an undertrial prisoner.

According to CASR, the 72-year-old Abubacker has been experiencing serious health complications in recent days. Reports indicate that he is suffering from a chest infection accompanied by persistent cough, along with fluctuations in blood pressure and blood sugar levels. It is also reported that his blood oxygen levels have dropped, raising concerns about his overall health condition.

Due to these complications, he was recently admitted by jail authorities to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital in New Delhi for treatment. CASR said that his continued detention despite his medical condition raises humanitarian concerns and called for appropriate medical care.

Abubacker is reported to suffer from several chronic ailments, including Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, hypertension and severe loss of vision. He was earlier diagnosed with gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, a form of cancer, for which he underwent chemotherapy and surgery in 2020. According to CASR, his condition requires continuous medical supervision and assistance with daily activities.

In its statement, CASR also referred to past cases in which prisoners died while in custody after prolonged illness, including that of Adivasi rights activist Stan Swamy, who died in judicial custody in 2021. It also mentioned the deaths of Pandu Narote, G. N. Saibaba, and Kanchan Nanaware, which had earlier drawn attention from civil liberties groups.

CASR -- which is a coalition of civil liberties organisations, democratic rights groups, activists and concerned citizens -- has appealed for Abubacker’s release on humanitarian and medical grounds, as well as for immediate and appropriate medical treatment and protection of the right to life and dignity of prisoners.

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