SC directs UP govt to shift Kappan to hospital in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to shift jailed journalist Siddique Kappan to a hospital in Delhi for better medical treatment, observing that it was the duty of the state to protect health and life of undertrials too.

“Life of everybody is valuable. We are concerned only about his health. It is the duty of the state also to protect him when his health is concerned. That’s the most important issue,” remarked a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana.

Kappan’s wife Raihanath Siddique welcomed the decision of the apex court. “We are really grateful to all who helped us. Our first priority is to save his life. He needs urgent medical care. We will move bail application after this,” she said in Malappuram.

The bench, which included justices Surya Kant and AS Bopanna, asked solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the UP government, to ensure that Kappan was admitted in one of the government hospitals in the national capital for proper treatment.

“He (Kappan) can be taken back to Mathura jail after the doctors opine that he can be discharged. We are also disposing of this writ petition. He can go to the trial court for any other relief...we haven’t gone on titles of petitioner or anything else, but it is a humanitarian issue,” the bench told the S-G, who had strongly opposed any order on