Abubacker’s son expressed apprehension that his father may end up dying in the prison due to lack of proper treatment and care, as 84-year-old Stan Swamy had died in Mumbai prison.
Waquar Hasan | Clarion India
NEW DLEHI – Family members of 72-year-old Muslim leader E Abubacker, who was the chairman of the Popular Front of India (PFI) are concerned about his deteriorating health condition as he is suffering from several serious disease.
Speaking to Clarion India on Friday, Abubacker’s son Talal expressed apprehension that his father may end up dying in the prison due to lack of proper treatment and care as 84-year-old human rights activist Stan Swamy had died in Mumbai prison.
Abubacker was arrested in September 2022 when the government launched crack down on the PFI following imposition of a ban on the Muslim group. Abubacker along with other PFI leaders were arrested after being booked under the draconian law UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act). In May, Delhi High Court rejected his bail plea sought on the medical ground. Currently, the Supreme Court is hearing his bail application and sought a medical report of the health condition of Abubacker from the All-India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS).
According to family members, during the hearing held on Friday, the medical report of Abubacker was not submitted to the court. Therefore, the court listed the matter for two weeks later. However, concerns rise for family members about his health condition.
“Activists like Stan Swamy was not given bail. He was also suffering from the same kind of diseases. He had died under custody. We are afraid that my father does not meet the same fate,” said Talal.
In his bail application, it was mentioned that Abubacker is suffering from Parkinson’s disease, hypertension, diabetes and loss of vision.
“Apart from the above, the Petitioner is in custody with severe diet control admittedly requiring small and frequent meals, and after removal of 80% of his abdominal and intestinal area, as he is also a cancer survivor and had been undergoing intensive medical treatment and care at various hospital since 2019, when he was diagnosed with a rare and malignant form of cancer, ‘Gastroesophagal junction adenocarcinanoma’. Although the Petitioner underwent extensive treatment including chemotherapy and surgery in January 2020 and was able to treat the cancer, the surgery for the same involved surgical removal of 80% his abdominal and intestinal area, because of of which his digestive system is completely compromised,” reads the application filed with the Supreme Court.
According to his son, Abubacker was taken from the jail to the AIIMS for the treatment for 40 times after applications were filed with the trial court over his health condition. However, he was not admitted to the hospital for once despite in such serious condition. “He is being checked up through regular OPD process and sent back to jail. It raised suspicion among our family members questioning as to why he was not admitted,” said Talal.
When Abubacker was arrested, he was bed-ridden and undergoing treatment for various diseases. In Jail also, he is bed-ridden and is not able to take care himself. Another prisoner is helping him to do his personal works. When he is taken to the hospital from jail for the medical examination, Talal remain by his side to take care of his nature call and other requirements.
“He is not able to do his daily routine works – having food and bath. One co-prisoner is helping him. We demand his immediate release on the medical ground. His condition is very bad,” said Talal.
It is not just Abubacker but another prisoner AS Ismail is also suffering from serious illness.
In a statement, the family members of Ismail said “We are particularly concerned for the life of E Abubacker and AS Ismail. While AS Ismail had his deadly stroke one early morning inside the Tihar Central Jail, his right side was completely paralysed. Unfortunately, precious hours passed before authorities could take him to the hospital, and allegedly he was taken out of DDU hospital in West Delhi without receiving the necessary medical care. AS Ismail is imprisoned in Tihar Jail number three and, presently unable to move or feel the entire right side of his body”.