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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Air India Express introduces late-night Bengaluru–Mangaluru service
International services at M’luru cancelled on March 7
Mangaluru: Air India Express will introduce a late-night daily flight service on the Bengaluru–Mangaluru–Bengaluru sector starting March 10, 2026.
According to the sources, flight IX 5971 will depart from Bengaluru at 9.25 pm and arrive in Mangaluru at 10.40 pm. The return flight, IX 5972, will depart from Mangaluru at 11.10 pm and reach Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, at 12.20 am.
The additional service will operate daily and will remain in effect until March 28, 2026.
Meanwhile, Air India Express has cancelled all its scheduled international flights from Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) on March 7 due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
The Bengaluru–Mangaluru sector already has multiple daily services. Apart from Air India Express, IndiGo also operates flights on this route.
