Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair arrested by Delhi Police
The arrest is based on tweets detrimental to communal disharmony, after a post a Twitter handle alerted the IFSO unit, stated DCP IFSO KPS Malhotra.
- Jun 27, 2022,
- Updated Jun 27, 2022 10:39 PM IST
Mohammad Zubair, a fact-checker and co-founder of Alt News, was arrested by Delhi Police on Monday under sections 153/295 of Indian Penal Code (IPC). The arrest is based on tweets detrimental to communal disharmony, after a post a Twitter handle alerted the Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit, stated DCP IFSO KPS Malhotra.
A case was earlier registered under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, language etc) and 295A (deliberate and malicious act intended to outrage religious feelings) of the IPC against Zubair, K P S Malhotra, said.
Zubair joined the probe on Monday and after gathering sufficient evidence on record, he was arrested, Malhotra said.
"He is being produced before the magistrate for seeking further PC remand for the purpose of the investigation of the case," Malhotra stated.
Zubair was arrested in connection with one of his recent tweets that had a questionable image with a purpose to deliberately insult the god of a particular religion, the DCP said, reported news agency PTI. Police said the case was registered on the complaint of a Twitter user who accused Zubair of hurting religious sentiments.
Meanwhile, several Opposition party leaders, including Congress President Rahul Gandhi, took to Twitter to condemn Zubair's arrest and question government's idea of democracy.
"Every person exposing BJP's hate, bigotry and lies is a threat to them. Arresting one voice of truth will only give rise to a thousand more. Truth ALWAYS triumphs over tyranny. #DaroMat," tweeted Gandhi from his handle.
Meanwhile, Alt News co-founder Pratik Sinha alleged that Zubair was arrested in a case for which no notice was given by the police, which is mandatory under law for the sections under which he has been held. "Zubair was called today by Special Cell, Delhi for investigation in a 2020 case for which he already had a protection against arrest from High Court. However, today at around 6.45 pm, we were told he has been arrested in some other FIR for which no notice was given which is mandatory under law for the section under which he has been arrested. "Nor FIR copy is being given to us despite repeated requests," Sinha said in a statement posted on Twitter.
(With PTI inputs)
Mohammad Zubair, a fact-checker and co-founder of Alt News, was arrested by Delhi Police on Monday under sections 153/295 of Indian Penal Code (IPC). The arrest is based on tweets detrimental to communal disharmony, after a post a Twitter handle alerted the Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit, stated DCP IFSO KPS Malhotra.
A case was earlier registered under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, language etc) and 295A (deliberate and malicious act intended to outrage religious feelings) of the IPC against Zubair, K P S Malhotra, said.
Zubair joined the probe on Monday and after gathering sufficient evidence on record, he was arrested, Malhotra said.
"He is being produced before the magistrate for seeking further PC remand for the purpose of the investigation of the case," Malhotra stated.
Zubair was arrested in connection with one of his recent tweets that had a questionable image with a purpose to deliberately insult the god of a particular religion, the DCP said, reported news agency PTI. Police said the case was registered on the complaint of a Twitter user who accused Zubair of hurting religious sentiments.
Meanwhile, several Opposition party leaders, including Congress President Rahul Gandhi, took to Twitter to condemn Zubair's arrest and question government's idea of democracy.
"Every person exposing BJP's hate, bigotry and lies is a threat to them. Arresting one voice of truth will only give rise to a thousand more. Truth ALWAYS triumphs over tyranny. #DaroMat," tweeted Gandhi from his handle.
Meanwhile, Alt News co-founder Pratik Sinha alleged that Zubair was arrested in a case for which no notice was given by the police, which is mandatory under law for the sections under which he has been held. "Zubair was called today by Special Cell, Delhi for investigation in a 2020 case for which he already had a protection against arrest from High Court. However, today at around 6.45 pm, we were told he has been arrested in some other FIR for which no notice was given which is mandatory under law for the section under which he has been arrested. "Nor FIR copy is being given to us despite repeated requests," Sinha said in a statement posted on Twitter.
(With PTI inputs)