‘AIIMS Not Enough?’: Delhi HC Asks Jail Authorities for Health Report on PFI Chairman Abubacker
The Delhi High Court on Friday, 29 August 2025, directed the jail authorities to file a medical report in connection with a plea submitted by Popular Front of India (PFI) chairman Abubacker E. He has sought permission to undergo treatment at a private hospital. At present, he is receiving medical care at AIIMS, New Delhi.
Abubacker, who is accused of supervising recruitment, radicalization, and organizing terror camps, among other charges, was arrested on 22 September 2022 by the National Investigation Agency and is currently under judicial custody in Tihar Jail.
Justice Ravinder Dudeja not only called for the medical report but also issued a notice to the NIA, seeking its reply.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on 26 November 2025.
During the hearing, Abubacker’s counsel argued that the treatment being provided in custody was inadequate and alleged that the jail staff had been hostile towards him. It was further submitted that the accused has a fundamental right to avail treatment at a hospital of his choosing.
Opposing the plea, Special Public Prosecutor Rahul Tyagi, appearing for the NIA, maintained that the applicant was already being treated at one of the country’s premier medical institutions, which is AIIMS, and questioned the need for a private facility. He further added that a medical report from AIIMS would clarify the need for the treatment.
The NIA's case against him stemmed from information received by the Central Government indicating that members of the Popular Front of India (PFI) were conspiring to commit terrorist acts in various parts of India. E. Abubacker, a member of PFI's National Executive Council (NEC), was named in the FIR. Funds from PFI accounts were allegedly used in terror activities, with Abubacker as an authorized signatory for one of the accounts. The FIR accused Abubacker and others of preparing for terrorist acts, radicalizing youths, and promoting communal disharmony.
In January this year, a Supreme Court bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal had said it was not inclined to release Abubacker on bail at this stage after looking at his medical report. Abubacker' wife has alleged that, "Although the Medical Board, consisting of 10 doctors from AIIMS, constituted as per the direction of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, examined and evaluated his health condition in detail, they submitted a report that didn’t reflect his actual health condition, due to the intervention of the central agencies."
Abubacker was the leader of Popular Front of India, which the Central Government on September 28, 2022, in the exercise of the powers conferred by Sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 declared as ‘unlawful associations’ along with other eight alleged affiliated fronts.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had carried out massive operations, and raids in several states to track down people involved in the outfit. MHA stated that the PFI indulged in such unlawful activities that were prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty, and security of the country and could potentially disturb communal harmony.
Case Title: ABUBACKER E V/S NATIONAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY THROUGH ITS DIRECTOR
Hearing Date: 29 August 2025
Bench: Justice Ravinder Dudeja