The Uttar Pradesh government, in its affidavit filed in the case of the arrest of Kerala-based journalist Siddique Kappan on his way to Hathra, told the Supreme Court that Kappan was using news coverage to create unrest in Hathras. He showed an identity card from a Kerala Texas-based newspaper, which was closed in 2018, the UP government said.
On Friday, the Supreme Court allowed Kappan to meet with his attorney. The court headed by CJI SA Bobde and composed of judges AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian also objected to the way the case was reported in the media.
Also read: PFI secretary, journalist from Kerala, was using ID to create social unrest in Hathras: UP files affidavit in Supreme Court
On 5 October, Kappan, a freelance journalist, was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police while on his way to Hathras, where a Dalit woman had died after allegedly being gang-raped. Charges of criminal conspiracy to create social unrest were brought against Kappan following the Hathras incident. The UAPA (Illicit Activities Prevention Act) was also invoked against Kappan and other detainees along with him.
“It was revealed during the investigation that he, along with other PFI activists and their student leaders (Campus Front of India) were going to Hathras under the garb of Journalism with a very determined design to create a caste division and disturb the situation of the law and order. found carrying incriminating material, ”says the affidavit.
The state government previously claimed that Kappan is the secretary of the Popular Front of India office. The Kerala Union of Workers’ Journalists opposed the arrest and requested bail from Kappan. The UP government said the union has no locus standi as Kappan is already in contact with his defenders and family members.
Attorney General Tushar Mehta will appear for the Uttar Pradesh government and Kapil Sibal will represent the union.
The state government has also said that Kappan is not in “illegal custody / confinement” but is in judicial custody.
(With contributions from the agency)
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