New Delhi, May 16 (H.S.): The Delhi High Court has denied interim bail to A.S. Ismail, a leader of the Popular Front of India (PFI), on health grounds. A bench led by Justice Subramanyam Prasad stated that the latest medical report from AIIMS indicates improvement in his health.
The court remarked that the condition of the accused has improved during his judicial custody. The AIIMS report mentioned that adequate medical care is being provided in jail. It also stated that even if the accused is not granted interim bail, there will be no deterioration in his health. The court directed the jail administration to ensure that Ismail receives the regular physiotherapy treatment as advised by doctors and that his blood pressure is monitored regularly. The court further instructed the jail administration to take Ismail to AIIMS once a month for monitoring his health.
The NIA arrested Ismail on September 22, 2022. According to the NIA, members and officials of the PFI conspired to gather funds from within the country and abroad to carry out terrorist activities at various locations across the nation. PFI members collected money through hawala and other means and plotted to execute terrorist activities in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. Following the arrest of Ismail and 18 other PFI activists, the NIA filed a chargesheet under various sections of the UAPA.
On September 28, 2022, the central government banned PFI and its affiliated organizations for five years. This ban was imposed under the provisions of Section 3(1) of the UAPA. The central government also prohibited PFI's affiliated organizations, including Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organizations (NCHRO), National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation, and Rehab Foundation, Kerala. The NIA had arrested a significant number of PFI members by conducting raids across several states. The Delhi Police also raided approximately 50 locations and arrested over 30 PFI members.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
