On Friday, the Supreme Court refused to grant bail to E Abubacker, the former chairman of the banned organisation Popular Front of India (PFI). He had requested bail on medical grounds in a case filed against him under the anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Justices Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal's bench stated that it was not inclined to give bail at this time due to medical reasons and gave him the freedom to go to the trial court. Speaking on behalf of the National Investigation Agency, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju contended that Abubacker could not be released on bail because all of the medical issues he brought up had been resolved through various treatments.

Abubacker was arrested on September 22, 2022, by the NIA in a large operation against the Popular Front of India (PFI). On September 28, 2022, the government banned PFI and several of its related groups for five years, accusing them of having connections with global terrorist organisations like ISIS, under strict anti-terror laws. He appealed to the Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court’s May 28, 2024 order that refused him bail. Abubacker stated that he was in his seventies, suffering from Parkinson’s disease, and had also undergone surgery for cancer treatment.

Abubacker is accused of being a key member of the PFI after having previously been connected to SIMI, an organisation that is prohibited. In addition, he was an authorised signatory to PFI's bank accounts.