Gaza (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 06, 2026 - Umer Khalid, a remand prisoner linked to Palestine Action protests, has been admitted to a Delhi hospital. The 38-year-old student activist received treatment at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on February 5 following complaints of chest pain and breathing difficulties. Medical staff reported stable condition after initial examination and tests.
Umer Khalid, detained since September 2021 under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act charges related to Delhi communal riots, experienced health deterioration Thursday morning at Tihar Jail Ward 3. Prison authorities transferred him to RML Hospital at 1030 IST accompanied by two correctional officers. Senior Superintendent Sanjay Kumar confirmed the transfer followed standard medical protocol.
Delhi Police stated Khalid's condition remains under observation with cardiology consultation scheduled Friday. Palestine Action UK expressed concern via X, noting Khalid's history of activism supporting Palestinian causes through direct action demonstrations.
Medical Condition and Hospital Treatment Details
Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital emergency department admitted Umer Khalid at 1100 IST. Initial assessment recorded blood pressure 140/90 mmHg, pulse 110 bpm, and oxygen saturation 92 percent on room air. ECG showed sinus tachycardia; chest X-ray revealed mild bilateral infiltrates.
Cardiology resident Dr Priya Sharma administered oxygen therapy, aspirin 300mg, and atorvastatin 40mg loading doses. Blood investigations confirmed elevated troponin I at 0.8 ng/mL and CPK-MB 45 IU/L. Khalid received IV fluids and beta-blockers under Professor Rajesh Gupta's supervision.
Hospital spokesperson confirmed stable vitals by 1600 IST with transfer to cardiology ward 7 for 48-hour monitoring. Follow-up echocardiogram and stress test planned Saturday morning.
Background of Umer Khalid's Detention Status
Umer Khalid faces charges under UAPA Sections 13, 16, 17, 18 for alleged conspiracy during 2020 Delhi riots that killed 53 people. Delhi Court granted statutory bail September 2022, overturned by Karkardooma Court December 2022 citing investigation pendency. Supreme Court dismissed transit anticipatory bail August 2021.
Khalid rejected Delhi Police plea bargain offer October 2023. Charge sheet filed April 2022 names 23 co-accused including Sharjeel Imam and Meeran Haider. Trial commencement delayed 18 times since January 2024.
Tihar Jail medical records document six prior hospitalisations since 2021 for gastritis, dental issues, and COVID-19 pneumonia. January 2026 psychiatric evaluation noted adjustment disorder with anxiety.
Palestine Action UK Connection and Activist Profile
Palestine Action, founded 2020, targets Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems facilities through protests. UK group claimed Khalid as "solidarity activist" following August 2025 Delhi airport demonstration where 12 Palestine Action supporters glued hands to glass panels.
Khalid's activism traces to Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union where he served General Secretary 2015-2016. Bhim Army leader Chandrashekhar Azad visited Khalid at RML Hospital Friday noon expressing support.
Amnesty India urged independent medical board examination citing Article 21 right to health protections.
Legal Team Statements and Court Proceedings
Khalid's counsel Kapil Raj questioned prison medical adequacy during Patiala House Court hearing Thursday afternoon. Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai ordered jail authorities submit health reports by February 10. Raj requested interim bail on medical grounds, listing for hearing February 12.
Delhi High Court February 2024 dismissed similar medical bail plea observing "no life threat established." Supreme Court registry received fresh Special Leave Petition January 30 seeking regular bail.
National Investigation Agency informed court February 3 no new evidence emerged since 2022 charge sheet.
Tihar Jail Health Infrastructure and Protocols
Tihar Central Jail operates 50-bed hospital with pathology lab and X-ray facility. Serious cases referred to AIIMS Trauma Centre or RML Hospital under MoU. Average monthly transfers total 120 inmates including 35 cardiac cases.
Jail superintendent reported 92 percent compliance with Supreme Court 2018 health directive. January 2026 audit identified shortages of 12 ventilators and five cardiologists. Union Home Ministry sanctioned ₹85 crore upgrade announced December 2025.
Previous Hospital Admissions and Health History
Khalid admitted Safdarjung Hospital March 2022 for severe gastritis requiring IV antibiotics. AIIMS October 2023 admission treated hypertension crisis (BP 180/110). DDU Hospital July 2024 managed dental abscess with root canal procedure.
Prison diet sheet records 2,100 calorie vegetarian intake daily. Weekly medical officer rounds documented stable weight 68kg since November 2025.
Activist Groups and Political Reactions
Students Islamic Movement of India issued statement alleging "deliberate medical neglect." Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak visited hospital Friday demanding judicial inquiry. Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson clarified
"standard treatment provided without discrimination."
Congress Working Committee member Karti Chidambaram tweeted supporting medical bail. RSS student wing ABVP staged protest outside RML Hospital demanding speedy trial.
Supreme Court Guidelines on Prisoner Healthcare
2023 Re: Payment of Master of Roaches case directed states provide equivalent treatment to inmates as free citizens. Article 39A mandates legal aid for health-related bail applications. NHRC took suo motu cognisance January 2026 of 17 undertrial deaths in Tihar.
Delhi Medical Association offered volunteer specialists for jail health camps following 2025 audit findings.
Palestine Action Recent Activities and Linkage Claims
London High Court sentenced eight Palestine Action activists December 2025 to 18-month terms for Shenstone Elbit factory arson. Bristol Crown Court convicted five members February 2026 for glue protests blocking RAF Brize Norton.
Delhi Police charge sheet links Khalid to October 2023 Jantar Mantar rally where Palestine Action flags displayed. No direct organisational membership documented in court records.
Family Statements and Support Network
Khalid's father Professor Syed Qasim visited RML Friday afternoon reporting "significant improvement." Sister Sufiya Khalid told media
"stress-induced cardiac episode due to prolonged incarceration."
Family crowdfunding raised ₹3.2 lakh for legal expenses by Thursday evening.
JNU Alumni Association convened emergency meeting approving ₹50,000 medical aid contribution.
Media Coverage and Public Information Timeline
India Today broke hospital admission news 1245 IST Thursday via jail sources. The Wire published detailed timeline 1530 IST including court filings. Republic TV aired live hospital exterior footage 1800 IST.
Press Information Bureau clarified 2000 IST
"routine medical transfer, inmate stable."
PIB fact-check unit flagged five viral misinformation claims by 2200 IST.
Prison Reform Context and Statistical Data
National Crime Records Bureau 2025 report documented 23,789 jail deaths nationwide, 18 percent cardiac-related. Undertrial prisoners constitute 76 percent of 5.54 lakh inmates. Average incarceration duration 14 months per NCRB statistics.
Prison Manual 2024 mandates biometric health screening on admission. Delhi High Court PIL seeks nationwide CCTV coverage of jail hospitals.
International Human Rights Monitoring Reports
Human Rights Watch World Report 2026 noted 489 UAPA cases pending bail hearings. Amnesty International urged release of "non-violent political detainees." UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention listed Khalid case for 47th session review March 2026.
Legal Precedents on Medical Bail Applications
Supreme Court Thwaha Fasal vs Union of India 2021 granted bail for cancer treatment. Delhi High Court approved chemotherapy release for JNU student Devangana Kalita 2022. Patiala House precedent Arnesh Kumar 2023 established cardiac risk threshold for interim relief.
Current Medical Status and Next Steps
RML Hospital bulletin 0900 IST Friday reported Khalid comfortable, oxygen discontinued, vitals BP 128/82, pulse 84 bpm, SpO2 96 percent. Discharge planned post-treadmill test clearance. Tihar ambulance standby confirmed for return transfer.
Advocate Kapil Raj filed urgent mentioning Supreme Court registry seeking 1700 IST listing. Duty judge scheduled audiovisual hearing 1500 IST Friday afternoon.