His 90-year-old mother is mostly unconscious and seeks his son’s presence whenever she regains her consciousness, his lawyer told the Supreme Court
By Muslim Mirror Staff
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Saturday allowed Siddique Kappan, a journalist, incarcerated in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura jail, to speak to his ailing mother via video conferencing.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Kerala Union of Working Journalists in the habeas corpus petition, argued in the court that Mr Kappan’s mother was ill and had asked to speak to her son. Sibal said prison rules do not allow video conferencing with families but urged the court to accept in this case.
“Mother of Kappan wants to have a video conferencing with him. She is over 90. Court says subject to jail rules. But jail rules do not allow VC,” pleaded Sibal adding that the mother is mostly unconscious and seeks his son’s presence whenever she regains her consciousness.
Saddique was one of the four persons whom the Uttar Pradesh police arrested alleging that they are linked to the PFI group and were going to spark caste riots in Hathras. However, the aforementioned group has dismissed the allegation adding that the arrest was a part of the UP government’s plan to divert people’s attention amid ongoing protests against the gang-rape incident.
Several human rights organisations and opposition politician condemned Kappan’s arrests. They have called on the Uttar Pradesh government to release him with immediate effects.
