NEW DELHI: On September 20, the Supreme Court of Bharat acknowledged the severity of allegations against Abubacker E., the former chief of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), while seeking the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) opinion on his bail petition. A Bench, led by Justices MM Sundresh and Aravind Kumar, emphasised that the bail plea would be evaluated on medical grounds due to Abubacker’s health condition. However, the court made it clear that the allegations were of a serious nature.
Abubacker was arrested during a nationwide raid conducted by the NIA in 2022, shortly after the PFI was banned on September 28, 2022, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The ban came in response to allegations of the organization’s ties to international terrorist groups such as ISIS. The NIA also accused PFI leaders, including Abubacker, of being involved in criminal conspiracies to raise funds for terrorist acts and holding indoctrination and training camps for its members.
Earlier, the Delhi High Court had rejected Abubacker’s request for house arrest, which he argued should be considered due to his age (70 years) and ongoing health issues, including his battle with cancer and Parkinson’s disease. He claimed there was no evidence to substantiate the NIA’s charges under UAPA.
However, the NIA maintained that it had substantial evidence proving the existence of illegal camps and Abubacker’s involvement in terror-related activities. The agency expressed concern that, if released, Abubacker could regain influence within the organization and resume his previous activities. The Supreme Court’s decision to consult the NIA underscores the gravity of the case, with the agency’s findings set to play a critical role in determining whether Abubacker will be granted bail.
