Activist Atiq-Ur-Rehman – who was arrested with journalist Siddique Kappan while on his way to Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras – has been in jail for nearly two years.They were going to Hathras to speak to the family of a Dalit woman who was gang-raped by ‘upper caste’ men. The woman had later succumbed to her injuries.At the Delhi Press Club, Rehman’s family members spoke about his deteriorating health condition, as he’s a heart patient, and therefore, demanded for his immediate release.Rehman went through heart surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi in November 2021. However, due to lack of post-surgery in prison, his left side of the body has been paralysed, The Wire had reported.After 23 months in jail, the Supreme Court granted bail to Kappan, saying: “Every person has the right to free expression. He is trying to show that victim needs justice and raise a common voice. Is that a crime in eyes of law?”
