The Honourable Allahabad High Court has ordered the release of Dr Kafeel Khan on the immediate basis. The former spokesperson of BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur and paediatrician Dr Kafeel Khan was arrested by the UP Police on 13 December 2019 for allegedly making inflammatory speeches at Aligarh University during protests against CAA, NRC and NRP. The court termed detention and extension of custody under NSA of Dr Kafeel Khan unlawful.
The High Court while giving the order said that it is illegal under NSA to take Dr Kafeel into custody and extend the period of detention. Dr Kafeel Khan should be released immediately. The High Court observed that the charges against Dr Khan were unwarranted as there was no occasion in his alleged speech at the Aligarh Muslim University on December 13, 2019, amidst the anti-CAA protests, that led to his arrested and detention under NSA, “Does not disclose any effort to promote or instigated hatred against any community or promoted violence rather his speech is for national integrity and unity”
Dr Kafeel is in jail for the last 6 months. Recently his detention was extended for 3 months. Dr Kafeel had written letter to PM Modi from jail requesting PM Modi to release him to serve COVID-19 patients, in his letter he has also sent a roadmap for the government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
After Dr Kafeel Khan’s release order by Allahabad High Court ‘His wife’s response has come by a video, his wife Shabista Khan said that seven months were taken away from his life, which no one can return now.
She said, ‘An innocent man, who has done nothing, was imprisoned by imposing NSA on him and he was tortured for seven months. Nobody can bring that seven months back. When we think about how these seven months have passed, our soul shivers. If you have the power of NSA, don’t miss use it. If someone is indulge into riots or doing something wrong, then definitely put him in jail and impose NSA on him but please do not impose NSA on a person who has not done anything. Please this is the appeal that if you have the power of NSA then do not misuse it.
