After HC rap, govt shifts appellant to AIIMS for treatment
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT ASKS UP GOVT TO APPRISE IT WITH PROGRESS MADE IN THE TREATMENT OF ATIQ UR RAHMAN
PRAYAGRAJ: The Allahabad high court has taken a serious view of court orders not being followed by the government in the appeal of one Atiq-ur-Rahman.
In jail, Rahman had moved an application seeking admission in AIIMS, New Delhi, as he is suffering from a serious heart disease.
After the high court made its displeasure known on Tuesday, Rahman’s counsel said on Wednesday that Rahman was shifted early in the morning from the Mathura District Jail to AIIMS, Delhi, for treatment, where he reached around 11 AM.
In its noting during the hearing of the case, the Allahabad high court directed the state government to apprise it with the progress made in the treatment of Rahman.
This order was passed on Tuesday.
The bench comprising justice MC Tripathi and justice Subhash Vidyarthi fixed November 25 as the next date of hearing in the habeas corpus petition by Atiq-ur-Rahman from Muzaffarnagar, Masood from Bahraich and Alam from Rampur, while asking the government counsel to apprise it in the case.
The court observed, “In spite of repeated orders dated 23.09.2021 and 12.10.2021 passed by Sessions Judge/Special Court, PMLA, Lucknow, which have been brought on record ... adequate medical facility has not been provided to the first petitioner.”
Atiq has been in jail and was detained on October 5, 2020, along with journalist Siddique Kappan, Masood Ahmad, driver Alam while they were on their way to Hathras to protest against the gang rape and murder of a 19-year-old woman.
An FIR was lodged against three accused on October 7, 2020.
It was alleged that they were going to Hathras to disturb the law and order situation and fuel caste riots in the state.
Senior advocate SFA Naqvi representing Atiq-ur-Rahman said, “Rahman is suffering from a serious heart disease. His proper treatment is only possible in AIIMS, New Delhi, but no action was taken by the state government on several applications seeking admission of Rahman to AIIMS, New Delhi, for a surgical intervention due to his condition. However, after the order dated November 23, we have been informed that Rahman has been shifted in the early morning on Wednesday from Mathura District Jail to AIIMS Delhi for medical treatment where he reached around 11 in the morning.”
“In the evening we were informed that Rahman was tested for Covid-19 and by the evening state officials had submitted Rs 2 lakh for his treatment,” added senior advocate Naqvi.