Delhi court rejects bail plea of PFI chairman
A Delhi court has rejected the bail plea of Popular Front of India’s (PFI) founding chairman E Abubacker, arrested for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to overthrow the Indian Government and establish an Islamic caliphate by 2047. Special NIA Judge Prashant Sharma was hearing the application by the accused seeking regular bail on the grounds that his health is deteriorating and there is no concrete case against him.
In an order dated July 15, the court said, “In view of the aforesaid appreciation and facts and circumstances of this case, I do not find any ground to grant bail to the applicant. Accordingly, the present bail application of applicant/accused E Abubacker stands dismissed.”
Abubacker’s lawyer told the court that charges have already been framed against his client and his health is also deteriorating. He contended that there has been a delay in the judicial proceedings in the matter.
“Those circumstances include the gravity of the offence, the workload on this court, the number of accused persons involved, the number of counsel representing the accused persons and likewise,” the court said.
The judge said the accused’s lawyer did not specify the reasons for the delay in the judicial proceedings. “The pendency of the matter before the court concerned, where the chargesheet is filed, the reason for the delay and other administrative aspects are not highlighted by the learned counsel for the accused. Therefore, the delay in the trial, it is meritless.
The same stands dismissed,” the court said. Opposing the bail application, National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) counsel Rahul Tyagi told the court that charges have already been framed against the accused on the basis of sufficient evidence and he is getting proper medical treatment in the jail. The court took note of the high court order denying bail to the accused and said there has been no change in circumstances. This was the third bail application of the accused rejected by the court.
The judge said charges have been framed against the accused on sufficient evidence and hence, bail cannot be granted.
A Delhi court last month ordered framing charges against several top leaders of the PFI, a banned outfit, observing that there is a “grave suspicion” of a conspiracy to overthrow the Indian Government and establish an Islamic caliphate by 2047. The court ordered framing charges under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against 25 PFI members as well as the organisation.
