Jailed PFI leader E Abubacker’s health deteriorates, admitted in critical condition
Leader was jailed nearly four years, arrested in 2022 while under rest after cancer surgery
New Delhi: Veteran Muslim leader, and founding chairman of the Popular Front of India (PFI), Erappungal Abubacker has been admitted to critical care in a hospital in the national capital since Wednesday after his health deteriorated, Maktoob reported citing his family.
Abubacker has been in jail for nearly four years. He was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from his residence in the early hours of September 22, 2022.
At the time of his arrest, he was under long rest following surgery for Oesophagopharyngeal carcinoma.
“Over the past two days there has been no significant improvement in his condition,” Abubacker’s daughter told the news portal.
His family told the portal that he is currently suffering from a chest infection and severe cough. They also said there are fluctuations in his blood pressure and sugar levels. In addition, his blood oxygen levels have dropped, which has raised concerns about his health.
Abubacker was admitted to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital in New Delhi by jail authorities after concerns were raised about his health condition.
However, the family said that despite his critical condition, he was shifted from the Intensive Coronary Care Unit (ICCU) to a ward on Friday.
The move by the hospital has worried the family. Abubacker’s son-in-law, Muneeb TT, told Maktoob.
According to the report, the family also plans to approach the court seeking medical bail for him.
The 74-year-old leader is currently an undertrial prisoner and remains in custody even though his trial has not yet started. According to the report, the investigation in the case is still pending.
On the day of his arrest, nearly 100 PFI activists were arrested or detained across 10 states in what the investigating agency described as “the largest-ever investigation process till date.”
About a week after the arrests, the Government of India banned the Popular Front of India and several organisations linked to it. These included Campus Front of India, Rehab India Foundation, All India Imams Council, National Confederation of Human Rights Organisations, National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation, and Rehab Foundation Kerala.
Abubacker had previously approached the courts seeking bail. However, both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India rejected his bail pleas.
His family has said that his health has been deteriorating while he remains in custody. In a statement, his wife Amina said, “He is getting weaker day by day, facing severe health problems due to the unavailability of a proper diet suitable for his health condition. He suffers from memory loss as well.”
The family has also raised concerns about the medical evaluation carried out earlier. They said that a medical board consisting of 10 doctors from AIIMS was formed following directions from the Supreme Court to assess his health condition.
However, the leader’s family alleged that the report submitted by the board did not reflect his actual medical condition. They said the report later became the basis for the Supreme Court rejecting his bail application.
The family also stated earlier that Abubacker later wrote to jail authorities saying he did not trust AIIMS Delhi. He also filed a petition in a lower court seeking permission to undergo treatment in a private hospital.
Abubacker had undergone surgery for cancer in 2020 and had remained mostly housebound under intensive care from family members after the procedure.
According to his family, he suffers from several health conditions including Diabetes Mellitus with Retinopathy, Hypertension, Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease, Coronary Artery Disease, post-operative Oesophagopharyngeal Carcinoma, and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, the report added.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
