In a significant development, activist Atikur Rahman, who was arrested in October 2020 along with Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan while en route to Hathras, has been granted bail by a court in Uttar Pradesh. The bail was granted in connection with a case registered by the Enforcement Directorate. Atikur Rahman, a jailed Ph.D. scholar, is expected to walk out of jail on June 5th, once the necessary bail formalities are completed.
#BREAKING
Atikur Rahman, former CFI leader has been granted bail in a case registered by ED on Thursday.
He will walk out of jail after the bail formalities, his wife Sanjida Rahman and counsel informed me.— Ghazala Ahmad (@ghazalaahmad5) May 25, 2023
Earlier in March, Atikur Rahman had been granted bail in connection with a case registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). However, he had remained incarcerated as he was yet to secure bail in the Prevention of Money Laundering Activities (PMLA) case filed against him.
The arrest of Atikur Rahman and Siddique Kappan, along with Jamia Millia Islamia student Masood Ahmad and taxi driver Mohammad Alam, took place on October 5, 2020, in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. The group had been on their way to meet the family of a Dalit woman who had been raped and murdered by individuals from the dominant Hindu caste in Hathras.
The Uttar Pradesh police had charged them with several offenses, including ‘sedition,’ ‘promoting enmity between groups,’ ‘outraging religious feelings,’ and ‘criminal conspiracy’ under the Indian Penal Code. Additionally, they were accused of ‘raising funds for terrorist acts’ and ‘conspiring to commit a terrorist act’ under the UAPA.
It is important to note that Atikur Rahman, at 27 years old, suffers from a serious heart condition. Both his family and legal representatives have consistently demanded immediate surgical intervention to address his health concerns.
With the grant of bail in the Enforcement Directorate case, Atikur Rahman’s release on June 5th is eagerly awaited by his family, friends, and supporters. This development marks a significant step in his legal battle and may bring renewed attention to the larger issue surrounding the case.
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