'His life is in danger': Plea in SC to transfer journalist Siddique Kappan to AIIMS or Safdarjung

The Kerala Union of Working Journalists has filed a plea in the Supreme Court seeking the transfer of journalist Siddique Kappan to either AIIMS or Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, LiveLaw reported.

Kappan "collapsed in the bathroom with serious injuries" on April 20, the plea said, and later tested positive for Covid. He's presently at a hospital in Mathura.

Prior to his hospitalisation, Kappan was lodged at Mathura jail. The plea said: "It is reliably believed that more than 50 inmates of Mathura jail suffering from Covid, with various of scarcities, and even drinking water from the toilet, seriously affecting hygiene, health, all leading to a major disaster in the making. In short, as of today, the life of Mr Siddique Kappan is in danger for all reasons."

Kappan was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police in October when he was on his way to Hathras to report on the gangrape and murder of a Dalit woman. He was booked under the UAPA and charges of sedition, and has been in jail ever since.