"He Is Chained Like An Animal In Hospital", Journalist Siddique Kappan's Wife Writes To CJI Ramana Seeking His Immediate Release

The letter states that Kappan (who has recently tested Positive for COVID-19) is chained like an animal in a cot of the Medical College Hospital, Mathura, without mobility, and that he is not able to take food, go to toilet for the last more than 4 days, and is very critical.

"If immediate corrective steps are not taken, it will result in his untimely death," the letter further adds.

The letter submits that the Writ of Habeas Corpus (seeking Kappan's release) petition filed on 06^th October 2020 which was supposed to be disposed of on 09^th March 2021 had not been disposed of despite it being listed it more than 7 times.

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 22^nd April 2021.

The letter by his wife also states that despite having knowledge about the procedure established by law for mentioning, she was forced to approach your lordship directly, being an issue arising out of a Habeas Corpus petition pending more than 6 Months,

Importantly, the letter submits,

"Media is the breath of democracy, and it is an attempt for giving breath to a media person, who is in jail for the last more than 6 Months, and the Habeas Corpus petition also pending since 06.10.2020. The representation given to Jail Superintendents, Mathura by message is pending."

It may be noted that Citing medical emergency, the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) has moved the Supreme Court seeking the transfer of Kerala Journalist Siddique Kappan to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) or Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi.

In its plea, the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) has submitted that on 20^th April 2021, Kappan collapsed in the bathroom with serious injuries and later on he tested positive for COVID-19 and is presently hospitalized in a Mathura hospital.

Importantly, the plea also states,

"It is reliably believed that more than 50 inmates of Mathura Jail suffering from COVID, with various of scarcities, and even drinking water from the toilet, seriously affecting hygiene, health, all leading to a major disaster in the making. In short, as of today, the life of Mr. Sidhique Kappan is in danger for all reasons"

Siddique Kappan (along with three others) was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police while he was proceeding to cover the Hathras case of rape and murder of a 19-year-old Dalit woman, later on, they were booked under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and charges of sedition were also slapped against them.

Recently, the Kerala Union of Working Journalists(KUWJ) had filed an additional rejoinder in the Supreme Court refuting the allegations made by the Uttar Pradesh Government against journalist Siddique Kappan, who has been under custody since his arrest by the UP Police on October 5 last year when he was proceeding to report the Hathras crime.

The KUWJ has denied that Kappan has any connection with the Popular Front of India (PFI). In this regard, the KUWJ states that the UP Government has taken inconsistent stances in two affidavits.

Earlier this month, 8 people allegedly linked to Popular Front of India, including its students' wing leader K A Rauf Sherif and Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan, were charge-sheeted on Saturday by Uttar Pradesh police's Special Task Force in a court here for sedition, criminal conspiracy, funding of terror activities and other offences.