New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Friday rejected the bail plea of E Abubacker, a veteran Muslim leader and former Chairman of the banned organization Popular Front of India (PFI), despite his severe health issues.

According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, Abubacker, 72, suffers from multiple serious ailments, including Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, hypertension, and Gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer.

Abubacker has been in judicial custody since the 2022 crackdown on PFI under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). His legal team presented a medical report detailing his critical health conditions, arguing for the need for urgent medical care outside prison. However, a bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal rejected the plea, suggesting that Abubacker could instead approach the trial court.

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayan, representing Abubacker, referred to previous cases where bail was granted on humanitarian grounds, but the bench decided not to extend such considerations in this case.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), represented by Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, argued that Abubacker’s health conditions were being managed through treatment, suggesting they were not severe enough to justify bail.

The decision has sparked discussions about the priorities of India’s judicial system, particularly in cases involving Muslim detainees. Critics claim that such decisions reflect a bias against Muslim figures amid India’s broader crackdown on dissent.

Abubacker, a retired schoolteacher, has been receiving extensive medical care since his cancer diagnosis in 2019, requiring constant assistance for daily activities. The refusal to grant bail, despite evident humanitarian concerns, underscores the challenges faced by detainees from marginalized communities, particularly Muslims, in the current political climate in India.