Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan who is accused of offenses under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and sedition is presently “chained like an animal” to a hospital bed in Mathura, stated a plea filed by his wife Raihanth Kappan through Advocate Wills Mathew to the Chief Justice of India, NV Ramana has noted.
Thus, the letter prays that immediate steps/ necessary orders are passed to release Kappan from the Medical college Hospital back to the Mathura Jail as an interim relief, till the disposal of the mentioning application filed on 22nd April 2021.
Siddique Kappan (along with three others) was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police while attempting to cover the case of gang rape and murder of a 19-year-old Dalit Woman at Hatras known as Hathras Rape Case. The journalists were booked under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and on charges of sedition.
Meanwhile, it may be noted that citing medical emergencies, the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) had filed an additional rejoinder in the Supreme Court refuting the allegations made by the UP Government and denied his connections with the Popular Front of India (PFI). KUWJ has also seemed the top-most court the transfer of Kerala Journalist Siddique Kappan to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) or Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi. It stated that Kappan had collapsed in the bathroom and sustained serious injuries and was later tested Covid positive and is presently hospitalized in Mathura Hospital.
In addition to this, The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinayari Vijayan has written to Yogi Adityanath (Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh) requesting to ensure that Siddique Kappan receives necessary humane treatment and expert healthcare.
Eleven MPs of the United Democratic Front (Front) have also written to the Chief Justice of India saying that journalist Siddiqui Kappan, who has been arrested by the UP police under UAPA, should be shifted to AIIMS.
[…] Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayai Vijayan had also written to his UP counterpart Yogi Adityanath requesting him to intervene and ensure Siddique be provided expert health care. […]