INDIA: The Supreme Court has extended the interim bail granted to journalist and the co-founder of Alt news Mohammed Zubair over the FIR registered against him in Uttar Pradesh’s Sitapur. On September 7, Zubair’s request to quash the FIR (first information report) will be heard.
Additionally, the protection from arrest has been postponed until the following hearing.
After posting footage of three right-wing leaders who are each facing separate hate speech charges in Sitapur, Zubair was charged with hurting religious emotions.
The Supreme Court had already granted the co-founder of Alt-News protection from arrest in the case. Zubair would have to stay inside the Sitapur court’s jurisdiction and not tweet or obliterate any evidence, the top court had stated when ordering the temporary release.
Three cases have been filed against the 33-year-old in this case, two in Uttar Pradesh and one in Delhi. In addition to Sitapur, a lawsuit has also been filed in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh.
Zubair was placed in judicial detention for 14 days on Monday after a local court in Lakhimpur Kheri rejected the state police’s request for his custody. The next hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
The cases are all connected to tweets. He was detained on June 17 by the Delhi Police for allegedly injuring religious feelings.
Following the Special Public Prosecutor’s appeal, a Delhi court postponed his bail hearing for Thursday due to unavailability earlier in the day. His attorney, Vrinda Grover, is allegedly using delay strategies.
Also Read: Alt News Co-founder Mohammed Zubair Produced before Delhi Court
