Threat to Kafeel Khan's life: Wife in letter to HC
Shabista Khan, the wife of Dr. Kafeel Khan, has written to the Chief Justice of the Uttar Pradesh High Court, seeking security for her husband. Dr. Khan remains lodged in UP's Mathura jail and has been charged under the National Security Act (NSA). In her letter, Shabista said that she fears for her husband's safety in jail. Here are more details.
In her letter, Shabista has alleged that an attempt to murder Dr. Khan could be made in Mathura jail, IANS reported. She sought adequate security for her husband and also demanded that he be kept away from active criminals in the jail The letter is reportedly also addressed to the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and Director General (Jail), among others.
According to ANI, Shabista said, "We went to meet him in Mathura jail. He told me that when he was brought to the jail after being arrested, he was not given food for five days straight." She added, "The barrack he is staying in is very small and around 100-150 people have been lodged there. His life might be in danger there."
Dr. Khan was arrested on January 29 from the Mumbai airport by a Special Task Force (STF) of the UP Police. He was arrested for alleged inflammatory remarks he made at the Aligarh Muslim University on December 12. He had spoken against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act. An FIR was registered against him at Aligarh's Civil Lines Police Station for promoting religious enmity.
Shortly after being arrested, Dr. Khan was granted bail by an Aligarh court. The bail order was passed on February 10, however, Dr. Khan was not released from the Mathura jail. Four days after bail was granted, he was slapped with fresh charges under the NSA. His brother had then alleged that Dr. Khan is being "targeted at the behest of the state government."
To recall, Dr. Khan had first made headlines back in 2017. The pediatrician was at the center of the controversy at Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College, where over 60 children had died. The blame fell on Dr. Khan, who was subsequently suspended, arrested and jailed. However, in September 2019, a UP government report cleared him of all major accusations.
