Delhi: Siddique Kappan, the journalist from Kerala who was arrested and put in jail in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh was admitted to AIIMS on Saturday, as directed by the Supreme Court.
Kappan was admitted for expert medical attention after two days from the Supreme Court order. The apex court on 28 April was acting in response to two petitions, one by his wife Raihanath and the other by Jimmy Jose, president of the Delhi unit of Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ). Both pleas were based on reports that Kappan had been moved to a hospital in Mathura, on testing positive for Covid, but was kept in restraint on the bed without being allowed even to use the toilets.
The highest court's bench took abrupt steps for hearing the case and asked UP police to file a medical report immediately. Though the attorney of the UP government pleaded for more time, the court insisted on presenting it the very next day and issued the order early that afternoon itself after reviewing the report.
Although Kappan's wife had arrived in Delhi by air on hearing about his shifting, she was not allowed to meet him. As per the court's direction, Kappan would be in the hospital until he was declared medically fit and then he would be sent back to jail.
Siddique Kappan was arrested on his journey by road from Delhi to Hathras, UP to report on matters related to the rape and murder of a Dalit girl. Two others were also arrested with him and the police charged them with serious offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.