Malappuram (Kerala): Raihanth, the wife of journalist Siddique Kappan, who was arrested by Uttar Pradesh Police under the Unlawful Activities Protection Act (UAPA), alleged that has been mistreated.
According to her, Kappan has been chained to a cot, made to urinate in a bottle at the Mathura Medical College Hospital. He was admitted to the hospital after he tested positive for COVID-19 a few days ago.
Raihanth demanded the intervention of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to rescue Kappan.
"His life is much more miserable at the hospital than in prison. He is not even being fed," she said.
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"Since he has been tied to chains, he cannot move. He is not allowed to go to the toilet and is forced to urinate in a bottle. Earlier, the chief minister said he cannot intervene in the matter as it was is sub-judice. At least now, he should intervene. I am a woman and as his wife, I am in so much pain right now," she told the media.
She questioned why Pinarayi continued to remain tight-lipped and wondered whether he was fearing consequences in the election.
Kappan was detained on his way to Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, for covering the rape and murder of a minor girl. Since then, he has been in jail after being booked under Unlawful Activities Protection Act (UAPA).
According to the Uttar Pradesh government, Kappan lied about the organisation he represented. It also accused him of receiving funds from international sources and of not cooperating with the investigation.
However, Kappan had refutted the government's claims in the court and told the court that he was tortured, slapped, and beaten with lathis.
