Journalist Muhammad Zubair, who is also the co-founder of fact-checking website Alt News, was arrested by the Delhi Police under Sec 153, 295 of Indian Penal Code. The police alleged that the arrest is for hurting religious sentiments through one of his tweets. However, several political leaders criticized the BJP-led Central government over his arrest.
BJP leader Nupur Sharma‘s controversial comment on Prophet Muhammad earlier this month triggered widespread violence. Protests turned violent in several states. Many Muslim countries criticized the government for the comment. Consequently, she was suspended from the party.
The irony here is Mr Zubair was arrested in connection with one of his tweets in March 2018. It is said that the tweet had a questionable image with a purpose to deliberately insult the god of a particular religion.
According to NDTV news, no prior notice was given regarding Zubair’s arrest. Moreover, this is confirmed by Alt News co-founder Pratik Sinha. He said, ‘Zubair was arrested in a case for which no notice was given by the police. It is mandatory to give a notice under law for the sections under which he is arrested.
Pratik Sinha Tweet
Without providing any information including a copy of the FIR or remand application in Zubair’s case, we are told that he’s to be produced before a duty magistrate at his residence in Burari. He is currently detained inside a police bus in Burari for more than an hour.
— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) June 27, 2022
Furthermore, the police acknowledged that Mr Zubair was originally being questioned in an older case but was arrested in the new case “after having sufficient evidence on record”.
It is known that he is still being questioned and thereafter police will present him before a magistrate tomorrow to seek further custody.
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