Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair arrested by Delhi Police

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.