The Delhi High Court on Tuesday denied bail to Popular Front of India (PFI) chief E Abubacker in a case registered against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
A Division Bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain pronounced the order.
Abubacker was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) during a large-scale crackdown on the PFI in 2022. According to the NIA, the PFI, its members, and office bearers conspired to raise funds for terrorist activities across India and conducted training camps to indoctrinate and train their cadre.
Abubacker argued that there was no substantial evidence supporting the NIA’s case against him under the UAPA. He also highlighted his age (70 years), his status as a cancer survivor, and his battle with Parkinson’s disease, noting his multiple visits to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) during his custody.
The NIA opposed his bail plea, asserting that there was evidence showing that camps were organized to train cadres for illegal activities. They also mentioned that multiple cases were pending against Abubacker and that his release could intimidate witnesses.
In 2022, many alleged PFI activists were detained or arrested across several states during a crackdown preceding the nationwide ban on the organization and its affiliates. This ban was imposed by the Central government on September 28, 2022, under the UAPA due to accusations of links with global terror groups such as ISIS.
As part of a coordinated multi-agency operation led by the NIA, PFI activists were apprehended in 11 states and Union Territories for their alleged support of terror activities. Abubacker was arrested on September 22, 2022. The raids took place in Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Delhi, and Rajasthan.
In February, the High Court directed the medical superintendent of Tihar Jail to ensure regular and effective treatment for Abubacker’s ailments while rejecting a plea to place him under house arrest instead of jail.
