India: SC upholds UPHC verdict on Dr Kafeel Khan, says HC judgement is “very good”

Dr Kafeel Khan

Delhi; 18 Dec 2020 (UMMN): Supreme Court has quashed UP Government’s appeal on Dr Kafeel Khan’s detention under the National Security Act (NSA), saying it will not interfere with the verdict of the Allahabad High Court.

A bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde termed the Allahabad High Court judgement as very good.

“We will not interfere in the judgement. However, the observation will not impact any other proceedings,” said the bench.

Kafeel Khan took to Twitter on Thursday and thanked everyone who supported him. "And thank to everyone across globe who prayed for me ," he wrote.

According to The Telegraph, Dr Kafeel had hit the headlines after the 2017 tragedy at Gorakhpur's Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College, in which several children died due to a lack of oxygen cylinders. Initially, he was hailed as a saviour for arranging emergency oxygen cylinders but later faced action along with nine other doctors and staff members of the hospital, all of whom were released on bail later.

In its September 1 verdict, the high court had ordered Khan’s immediate release, saying his speech at the AMU didn't promote hatred or violence and gave a call for national integrity, reported The Telegraph.