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On the basis of a complaint from the NCPCR, the Delhi Police lodged an FIR against Zubair on August 9, 2020, under the provisions of the Information Technology Act for allegedly threatening and torturing a girl on Twitter.

No criminality found against Alt News co-founder Mohd Zubair in 2020 tweet: Delhi Police tells HC

On the basis of a complaint from the NCPCR, the Delhi Police lodged an FIR against Zubair on August 9, 2020, under the provisions of the Information Technology Act for allegedly threatening and torturing a girl on Twitter.

The Delhi Police told the high court on Thursday that it has not found any criminality against fact-checking website Alt News co-founder Mohammad Zubair in a case lodged against him for allegedly threatening and torturing a minor on social media.
Taking note of the submissions of the city police, the court asked the probe agency to place the chargesheet filed in the case before it.
"Before proceeding further, let a copy of the chargesheet be filed before the next date of hearing," Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani said.
On the basis of a complaint from the NCPCR, the Delhi Police lodged an FIR against Zubair on August 9, 2020 under the provisions of the Information Technology Act for allegedly threatening and torturing a girl on Twitter.
The journalist has approached the court seeking quashing of the FIR against him.
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Co-founders of fact checking website AltNews Pratik Sinha and Mohammed Zubair and Indian author Harsh Mander are among the favourites to win this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, according to shortlists released ahead of the announcement.


Indian journalists Mohd Zubair and Pratik Sinha among favourites to win Nobel Peace Prize

Co-founders of fact checking website AltNews Pratik Sinha and Mohammed Zubair and Indian author Harsh Mander are among the favourites to win this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, according to shortlists released ahead of the announcement.

The Time magazine, in a report, compiled a list of &ldquo;some of the favourites to win, based on nominations that were made public via Norwegian lawmakers, predictions from bookmakers, and picks from the Peace Research Institute Oslo.&rdquo;

Co-founders of fact checking website <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/twitter-user-who-flagged-mohammed-zubair-s-2018-tweet-is-delhi-real-estate-businessman-report-1661922641522">AltNews</a> Pratik Sinha and Mohammed Zubair and Indian author Harsh Mander are among the favourites to win this year&rsquo;s Nobel Peace Prize, according to shortlists released ahead of the announcement.
The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on October 7 in Oslo, Norway. Ahead of the announcement, predictions are being made about who and which organisations are the favourites and top-runners to win one of the most prestigious global honours.
The Time magazine, in a report, compiled a list of &ldquo;some of the favourites to win, based on nominations that were made public via Norwegian lawmakers, predictions from bookmakers, and picks from the Peace Research Institute Oslo.&rdquo; The list includes journalists Sinha and Zubair, who "have relentlessly been battling misinformation in India.&rdquo; The Time report said that the duo has &ldquo;methodologically debunked rumors and fake news circulating on social media and called out hate speech.
Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on June 27 for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through his tweets.
The Time article notes that Zubair&rsquo;s arrest was condemned by journalists around the world who &ldquo;argued it was retribution for his fact-checking work.&rdquo;
The Time list of favourites also includes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the UN Refugee Agency, Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the World Health Organisation, Russia&rsquo;s jailed opposition leader and anti-corruption activist Alexey Navalny and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunburg.
The Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) director Henrik Urdal also released his annual shortlist of probable Peace laureates. His list includes Mander, and the campaign he launched in 2017 &lsquo;Karwan-e-Mohabbat&rsquo;. Urdal also names Sinha and Zubair as &ldquo;other worthy candidates for a prize focused on combating religious extremism and intolerance&rdquo; in India.
&ldquo;Religious extremism helps justify discrimination and violence, and stokes tensions between groups that can result in armed conflict.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/salman-rushdie-among-favourites-in-uk-to-win-nobel-prize-for-literature-this-year-1664982520340">Salman Rushdie among favourites in UK to win Nobel prize for literature this year</a>
Making a significant contribution to fighting religious extremism and promoting interreligious dialogue is therefore a compelling rationale for being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize. A worthy recipient of such a prize is Harsh Mander, along with the campaign he launched in 2017, Karwan-e-Mohabbat ("Caravan of Love&rdquo;),&rdquo; according to Urdal&rsquo;s shortlist.
&ldquo;Mander is an important voice for religious tolerance and dialogue, and his campaign an important rallying point for those who oppose interreligious conflict and violence.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Twitter user in Mohammed Zubair arrest case is ‘Delhi businessman’ from Ajmer 

Twitter user who flagged Mohammed Zubair’s 2018 tweet is ‘Delhi real estate businessman’: report

Twitter user in Mohammed Zubair arrest case is &lsquo;Delhi businessman&rsquo; from Ajmer&nbsp;

The Twitter user whose tweet led to the incarceration of AltNews co-founder Mohammed Zubair by the Delhi Police on June 27 for 'hurting religious sentiments' has been identified as a real estate businessman residing in Delhi&rsquo;s Dwarka, as per an Indian Express report.
The accused, hailing from Ajmer in Rajasthan, who was traced by the police after receiving information on his IP address from Twitter, recorded his statement with the cops, as per the daily's report.
The handle @balajikijaiin, which went by the name of Hanuman Bhakt with a display picture of the Hindu deity Hanuman, was used by the accused to post tweets against Zubair. It currently stands 'suspended' with the microblogging website stating that it &ldquo;suspends accounts that violate the Twitter Rules&rdquo;.
Earlier, the handle did not exist on Twitter for a day. On June 29, a message on the handle read: &lsquo;This account doesn&rsquo;t exist&rsquo; but was back online the next day.
On June 19, the anonymous user had taken objection to a tweet posted by Zubair in 2018, wherein the fact checker had shared an image of a hotel signboard repainted from &ldquo;Honeymoon Hotel&rdquo; to &ldquo;Hanuman Hotel&rdquo;.
The account claimed that it was an insult to Hanuman and had tagged the Delhi Police and its Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations Unit which in turn filed a case against Zubair and arrested him.&nbsp;
As per The Indian Express report, the police sent the user a notice after tracking him down and asked him to record his statement at IFSO&rsquo;s office in Dwarka. He does not appear to be affiliated with any political party, an unidentified police source was cited as saying in the report.
Earlier, Zubair&rsquo;s lawyer Vrinda Grover in a Delhi court had opposed the police application and argued that the Twitter account in question was an anonymous handle made to create mischief. She accused the user of creating the account to target her client and demanded an investigation.
The Additional Public Prosecutor, however, refuted the claim stating that it was &ldquo;not an anonymous Twitter handle&rdquo;and called the user a &ldquo;mere informer".&nbsp; &ldquo;His details are here. Without details, no one can get a Twitter account," the public prosecutor contended.
On June 29, the investigation officer sent a notice under Section 91 of CrPC to Twitter India seeking details of the Twitter handle @balajikijaiin such as the IP log, registration, mobile number, connected email ID, and device used by the user, the police source told the newspaper.
The Supreme Court on July 20 granted interim bail to Zubair and ordered his immediate release. It also disbanded the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by Uttar Pradesh government to probe six separate cases against him and transferred all of them to the Delhi Police Special Cell.
The top court observed that there was no justification to keep the journalist in continued custody and&nbsp; stressed that grant of bail is not sufficient to secure the personal liberty of an individual embroiled in a series of cases.
ALSO WATCH: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/sc-grants-bail-to-mohammad-zubair-in-all-firs-filed-in-up-1658311406626">SC grants bail to Mohammad Zubair in all FIRs filed in UP</a>

The Supreme Court Monday said it would hear on July 20 a plea by Alt News co-founder Mohd Zubair, seeking to quash FIRs lodged against him in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly outraging religious feelings, and directed that no precipitative steps be taken against him in the meantime.
A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S Bopanna passed the order after the matter was taken up for hearing upon being mentioned by advocate Vrinda Grover, who represented Zubair.
The bench, which heard submissions for some time, directed the apex court registry to list it on July 20.
“In the meantime, we direct that no precipitative steps shall be taken against the petitioner in connection with these five FIRs….,” the bench said.
The fresh plea of Zubair has also challenged the constitution of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe these cases.
The plea said all the FIRs filed in Uttar Pradesh that has been transferred to the SIT for investigation are the subject matter of the FIR which is being probed by the Delhi Police Special Cell.

SC to hear Mohd Zubair's plea against FIRs on July 20, asks UP police not to act against him

The Supreme Court Monday said it would hear on July 20 a plea by Alt News co-founder Mohd Zubair, seeking to quash FIRs lodged against him in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly outraging religious feelings

Supreme Court asks UP police not to take any action against Alt News co-founder Mohd Zubair till it hears his plea on July 20

The Supreme Court Monday said it would hear on July 20 a plea by Alt News co-founder Mohd Zubair, seeking to quash FIRs lodged against him in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly outraging religious feelings, and directed that no precipitative steps be taken against him in the meantime.
A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S Bopanna passed the order after the matter was taken up for hearing upon being mentioned by advocate Vrinda Grover, who represented Zubair.
The bench, which heard submissions for some time, directed the apex court registry to list it on July 20.
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/uninformed-and-unhelpful-india-s-reply-to-germany-s-remark-on-mohammed-zubair-s-arrest-1657212728321" target="_blank" rel="noopener">'Uninformed and unhelpful': India's reply to Germany's remark on Mohammed Zubair's arrest</a>&nbsp;
&ldquo;In the meantime, we direct that no precipitative steps shall be taken against the petitioner in connection with these five FIRs&hellip;.,&rdquo; the bench said.
The fresh plea of<a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/sc-grants-bail-to-mohammad-zubair-in-all-firs-filed-in-up-1658311406626"> Zubair</a> has also challenged the constitution of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe these cases.
<a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/sc-s-detailed-order-on-mohd-zubair-s-bail-plea-criminal-justice-machinery-relentlessly-employed-1658816304409">SC's detailed order on Mohd Zubair's bail plea: Criminal justice machinery 'relentlessly employed'</a>
The plea said all the FIRs filed in <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/agnipath-protests-rock-uttar-pradesh-on-camera-1655454517819">Uttar Pradesh</a> that has been transferred to the SIT for investigation are the subject matter of the FIR which is being probed by the Delhi Police Special Cell.

Arrest is not meant to be and must not be used as a "punitive tool" but the criminal justice machinery was "relentlessly employed" against Alt News Co-founder Mohammad Zubair, the Supreme Court said while granting him interim bail in connection with the FIRs lodged against him in Uttar Pradesh for alleged hate speech.
Gag orders have a "chilling effect" on the freedom of speech, the apex court said while refusing to accept the submission of the counsel representing Uttar Pradesh that Zubair be barred from tweeting when he is on bail.
In its July 20 verdict, which was uploaded on the apex court website on Monday evening, a bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud said despite the fact that same tweets allegedly gave rise to similar offences in the FIRs, Zubair was subjected to multiple investigations across the country.
"As evident from the facts narrated above, the machinery of criminal justice has been relentlessly employed against the petitioner (Zubair)," said the bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant and A S Bopanna.
"Resultantly, he is trapped in a vicious cycle of the criminal process where the process has itself become the punishment," the bench said in 21-page judgement.
The apex court had delivered its verdict on Zubair's plea seeking quashing of the FIRs lodged in Uttar Pradesh against him.
The top court had ordered the release of Zubair on interim bail in relation to the FIRs lodged in Uttar Pradesh against him for alleged hate speech and transferred the cases to the Special Cell of Delhi Police.
In its judgement, the apex court said police officers are vested with the power to arrest individuals at various stages of the criminal justice process, including during the course of investigation, but this power is not "unbridled".
"Arrest is not meant to be and must not be used as a punitive tool because it results in one of the gravest possible consequences emanating from criminal law: the loss of personal liberty. Individuals must not be punished solely on the basis of allegations, and without a fair trial," the bench said.
It said the criminal law and its processes ought not to be instrumentalised as a "tool of harassment".
On the contention of UP's counsel that Zubair must be barred from tweeting when he is on bail, the bench said merely because the complaints filed against him arise from posts that were made by him on a social media platform, a blanket anticipatory order preventing him from tweeting cannot be made.
"A blanket order directing the petitioner to not express his opinion - an opinion that he is rightfully entitled to hold as an active participating citizen - would be disproportionate to the purpose of imposing conditions on bail. The imposition of such a condition would tantamount to a gag order against the petitioner," it said.
"Gag orders have a chilling effect on the freedom of speech," the bench observed.
It noted that according to Zubair, he is a journalist who is the co-founder of a fact checking website and uses Twitter as a medium of communication to dispel false news and misinformation "in this age of morphed images, clickbait, and tailored videos".
The apex court said passing an order restricting the petitioner from posting on social media would amount to an unjustified violation of the freedom of speech and expression and the freedom to practice his profession.
"The bail conditions imposed by the court must not only have a nexus to the purpose that they seek to serve but must also be proportional to the purpose of imposing them. The courts while imposing bail conditions must balance the liberty of the accused and the necessity of a fair trial. While doing so, conditions that would result in the deprivation of rights and liberties must be eschewed," the bench said.
On the issue of power to arrest, the apex court referred to its Arnesh Kumar verdict and said when it is exercised without application of mind and without due regard to the law, it amounts to an abuse of power.
"Section 41 of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) as well as the safeguards in criminal law exist in recognition of the reality that any criminal proceeding almost inevitably involves the might of the state, with unlimited resources at its disposal, against a lone individual," it said.
The bench noted that Zubair was subjected to multiple investigations across the country despite the fact that same tweets allegedly gave rise to similar offences in diverse FIRs.
"Consequently, he would be required to hire multiple advocates across districts, file multiple applications for bail, travel to multiple districts spanning two states for the purposes of investigation, and defend himself before multiple courts, all with respect to substantially the same alleged cause of action. Resultantly, he is trapped in a vicious cycle of the criminal process where the process has itself become the punishment," it observed.
The bench said it also appeared that certain dormant FIRs from 2021 were activated as certain new FIRs were registered, thereby compounding the difficulties faced by Zubair.
The top court also disbanded the special investigation team (SIT) which was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh Police to probe the FIRs.
Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on June 27 for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through one of his tweets.
Multiple FIRs were lodged against him in UP -- two in Hathras and one each in Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Muzaffarnagar, Ghaziabad, and at Chandauli police station for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.

SC's detailed order on Mohd Zubair's bail plea: Criminal justice machinery 'relentlessly employed'

The top court had ordered the release of Zubair on interim bail in relation to the FIRs lodged in Uttar Pradesh against him for alleged hate speech and transferred the cases to the Special Cell of Delhi Police
&nbsp;

Arrest is not meant to be and must not be used as a "punitive tool" but the criminal justice machinery was "relentlessly employed" against Alt News Co-founder Mohammad Zubair, the Supreme Court said while granting him interim bail in connection with the FIRs lodged against him in Uttar Pradesh for alleged hate speech.
Gag orders have a "chilling effect" on the freedom of speech, the apex court said while refusing to accept the submission of the counsel representing Uttar Pradesh that Zubair be barred from tweeting when he is on bail.
In its July 20 verdict, which was uploaded on the apex court website on Monday evening, a bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud said despite the fact that same tweets allegedly gave rise to similar offences in the FIRs, Zubair was subjected to multiple investigations across the country.
"As evident from the facts narrated above, the machinery of criminal justice has been relentlessly employed against the petitioner (Zubair)," said the bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant and A S Bopanna.
"Resultantly, he is trapped in a vicious cycle of the criminal process where the process has itself become the punishment," the bench said in 21-page judgement.
The apex court had delivered its verdict on Zubair's plea seeking quashing of the FIRs lodged in Uttar Pradesh against him.
The top court had ordered the release of Zubair on interim bail in relation to the FIRs lodged in Uttar Pradesh against him for alleged hate speech and transferred the cases to the Special Cell of Delhi Police.
In its judgement, the apex court said police officers are vested with the power to arrest individuals at various stages of the criminal justice process, including during the course of investigation, but this power is not "unbridled".
"Arrest is not meant to be and must not be used as a punitive tool because it results in one of the gravest possible consequences emanating from criminal law: the loss of personal liberty. Individuals must not be punished solely on the basis of allegations, and without a fair trial," the bench said.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/hasty-arrests-difficulty-in-getting-bail-chief-justice-ramana-lists-problems-in-justice-system-1658031955665">'Hasty arrests, difficulty in getting bail': Chief Justice Ramana lists problems in justice system</a>
It said the criminal law and its processes ought not to be instrumentalised as a "tool of harassment".
On the contention of UP's counsel that Zubair must be barred from tweeting when he is on bail, the bench said merely because the complaints filed against him arise from posts that were made by him on a social media platform, a blanket anticipatory order preventing him from tweeting cannot be made.
"A blanket order directing the petitioner to not express his opinion - an opinion that he is rightfully entitled to hold as an active participating citizen - would be disproportionate to the purpose of imposing conditions on bail. The imposition of such a condition would tantamount to a gag order against the petitioner," it said.
"Gag orders have a chilling effect on the freedom of speech," the bench observed.
It noted that according to Zubair, he is a journalist who is the co-founder of a fact checking website and uses Twitter as a medium of communication to dispel false news and misinformation "in this age of morphed images, clickbait, and tailored videos".
The apex court said passing an order restricting the petitioner from posting on social media would amount to an unjustified violation of the freedom of speech and expression and the freedom to practice his profession.
"The bail conditions imposed by the court must not only have a nexus to the purpose that they seek to serve but must also be proportional to the purpose of imposing them. The courts while imposing bail conditions must balance the liberty of the accused and the necessity of a fair trial. While doing so, conditions that would result in the deprivation of rights and liberties must be eschewed," the bench said.
On the issue of power to arrest, the apex court referred to its Arnesh Kumar verdict and said when it is exercised without application of mind and without due regard to the law, it amounts to an abuse of power.
"Section 41 of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) as well as the safeguards in criminal law exist in recognition of the reality that any criminal proceeding almost inevitably involves the might of the state, with unlimited resources at its disposal, against a lone individual," it said.
The bench noted that Zubair was subjected to multiple investigations across the country despite the fact that same tweets allegedly gave rise to similar offences in diverse FIRs.
"Consequently, he would be required to hire multiple advocates across districts, file multiple applications for bail, travel to multiple districts spanning two states for the purposes of investigation, and defend himself before multiple courts, all with respect to substantially the same alleged cause of action. Resultantly, he is trapped in a vicious cycle of the criminal process where the process has itself become the punishment," it observed.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/cji-ramana-electronic-media-running-kangaroo-courts-1658565302425">CJI Ramana: electronic media running kangaroo courts</a>
The bench said it also appeared that certain dormant FIRs from 2021 were activated as certain new FIRs were registered, thereby compounding the difficulties faced by Zubair.
The top court also disbanded the special investigation team (SIT) which was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh Police to probe the FIRs.
Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on June 27 for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through one of his tweets.
Multiple FIRs were lodged against him in UP -- two in Hathras and one each in Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Muzaffarnagar, Ghaziabad, and at Chandauli police station for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.

The Supreme Court has granted interim bail to fact-checking journalist Mohammad Zubair in all the six FIRs registered against him in Uttar Pradesh.A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S Bopanna said it would that the journalist must not be arrested in any new case.Zubair, the co-founder of Alt News is seeking quashing of the FIRs registered against him for allegedly outraging religious sentiments.The bench while granting bail remarked that in the present case, there is no justification to keep Zubair in continued custody any further and subject him to diverse proceedings when the gravamen of allegations arises from the tweets which forms part of investigation by Delhi Police.

SC grants bail to Mohammad Zubair in all FIRs filed in UP

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S Bopanna said that the journalist must not be arrested in any new case.

The Supreme Court has granted interim bail to fact-checking journalist Mohammad Zubair in all the six FIRs registered against him in Uttar Pradesh. A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S Bopanna said it would that the journalist must not be arrested in any new case. Zubair, the co-founder of Alt News is seeking quashing of the FIRs registered against him for allegedly outraging religious sentiments. The bench while granting bail remarked that in the present case, there is no justification to keep Zubair in continued custody any further and subject him to diverse proceedings when the gravamen of allegations arises from the tweets which forms part of investigation by Delhi Police.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear on Friday the bail plea of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in connection with a case registered against him in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly outraging religious feelings. The court responded to Zubair's plea fo

Supreme Court to hear Alt News' Mohammed Zubair’s bail plea on Friday

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear on Friday the bail plea of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in connection with a case registered against him in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly outraging religious feelings. 

Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, who is representing Mohammed Zubair, told the Supreme Court on Thursday, that there is a threat to his life as people out there are threatening him, while urging the court to list the matter urgently.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear on Friday the bail plea of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in connection with a case registered against him in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly outraging religious feelings. The court responded to Zubair's plea for an urgent hearing citing 'death threats' that he has been receiving.
The listing, however, awaits the Chief Justice of India's approval on Friday.
Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, who is representing Zubair,told the vacation bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and JK Maheshwari, which heard the plea on Thursday, that there is a threat to his life as people out there are threatening him, while urging the court to list the matter urgently.&nbsp;
The counsel said the Allahabad High Court had denied anticipatory bail to Zubair saying it was premature and he was arrested 2-3 days later.
On July 2, a Delhi court had denied him bail and had sent him to 14-days judicial custody.
An FIR was lodged against Zubair in Uttar Pradesh under IPC section 295A (deliberate and malicious act intended to outrage religious feelings) and section 67 of the IT Act on a complaint by Hindu Sher Sena Sitapur district president Bhagwan Sharan on June 1.
Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on June 27 for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through a tweet he had posted in 2018. The arrest was made following a complaint raised by a Twitter user&mdash;Hanuman Bhakt who said that a tweet posted by Zubair in 2018 of a movie poster that was released in 1983 had hurt religious sentiments of the followers of a Hindu deity.
The Delhi Police has has since then invoked new provisions&mdash;sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 201 (destruction of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 35 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act&mdash;against Zubair.&nbsp;
With PTI inputs.

The Supreme Court on Friday granted five-day interim bail to Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in connection with an FIR lodged in Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh for allegedly outraging religious sentiments.
The bench clarified that it has not stayed the investigation in the case registered at Sitapur and police can seize laptop and other electronic gadgets, if required.
The bench restrained Zubair from posting anything on Twitter with regard to the case and asked him not to leave the jurisdiction of Delhi.
He will however continue to be in jail as he has not been granted bail in the case filed against him in Delhi. 
An FIR was lodged against Zubair in Uttar Pradesh on a complaint by Hindu Sher Sena Sitapur district president Bhagwan Sharan on June 1 over a tweet calling Hindu seers 'hate-mongers'
Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on June 27 for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through one of his tweets.

Mohammad Zubair gets interim bail in UP case, journalist to remain in jail

The Supreme Court on Friday granted five-day interim bail to Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in connection with an FIR lodged in Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh for allegedly outraging religious sentiments.

The bench clarified that it has not stayed the investigation in the case registered at Sitapur and police can seize laptop and other electronic gadgets, if required.

The Supreme Court on Friday granted five-day interim bail to Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in connection with an FIR lodged in Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh for allegedly outraging religious sentiments.
The bench clarified that it has not stayed the investigation in the case registered at Sitapur and police can seize laptop and other electronic gadgets, if required.
The bench restrained Zubair from posting anything on Twitter with regard to the case and asked him not to leave the jurisdiction of Delhi.
He will however continue to be in jail as he has not been granted bail in the case filed against him in Delhi.&nbsp;
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/uninformed-and-unhelpful-india-s-reply-to-germany-s-remark-on-mohammed-zubair-s-arrest-1657212728321" target="_blank">'Uninformed and unhelpful': India's reply to Germany's remark on Mohammed Zubair's arrest</a>
An FIR was lodged against Zubair in Uttar Pradesh on a complaint by Hindu Sher Sena Sitapur district president Bhagwan Sharan on June 1 over a tweet calling Hindu seers 'hate-mongers'
Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on June 27 for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through one of his tweets.

Amid the Nupur Sharma, Alt News co-founder, and Kaali poster controversies, now the BJP has removed its Haryana unit's Information Technology cell chief.
Arun Yadav was sacked from the post after his old tweets targeted at a minority community were shared on social media. Yadav was removed as IT-cell chief, but not suspended from the BJP, as per reports.
Congress leader Srinivas BV called the BJP's action eyewash, and asked for Yadav's arrest.
Controversies over comments allegedly hurting religious sentiments have dominated headlines in recent weeks.
First, BJP suspended its leaders Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal for remarks regarding Muhammad, who is considered a Prophet of Allah by followers of Islam.
Then, Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair was arrested on June 27 for tweets dating back to 2018.
Subsequently, documentary film-maker Leena Manimekalai came under attack for a poster of her new film which shows an actor dressed as Hindu goddess Kaali smoking and holding the LGBT+ movement's rainbow flag.

After Nupur, BJP sacks Haryana IT cell chief amid controversy over tweets; Congress asks 'why no arrest?'

Arun Yadav was sacked from the post of Haryana BJP's IT cell chief after his old tweets targeted at a minority community were shared on social media.

Amid the Nupur Sharma, Alt News co-founder, and Kaali poster controversies, now the BJP has removed its Haryana unit's Information Technology cell chief.
Arun Yadav was sacked from the post after his old tweets targeted at a minority community were shared on social media. Yadav was removed as IT-cell chief, but not suspended from the BJP, as per reports.
Congress leader Srinivas BV called the BJP's action eyewash, and asked for Yadav's arrest.
Controversies over comments allegedly hurting religious sentiments have dominated headlines in recent weeks.
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/sc-s-comments-deserve-no-applause-ex-judges-veterans-rain-down-on-sc-1657027745467" target="_blank">SC's comments deserve no applause: ex-judges, veterans rain down on SC</a>
First, BJP suspended its leaders Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal for remarks regarding Muhammad, who is considered a Prophet of Allah by followers of Islam.
Then, Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair was arrested on June 27 for tweets dating back to 2018.
Subsequently, documentary film-maker Leena Manimekalai came under attack for a poster of her new film which shows an actor dressed as Hindu goddess Kaali smoking and holding the LGBT+ movement's rainbow flag.

Mohammed Zubair, the founder of fact-checking website Alt News, has been denied bail and sent to judicial custody for 14 days by a Delhi court. 
The journalist was arrested earlier this week for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through one of his tweets in 2018. 
Delhi Police's lawyer Atul Shrivastava said that they have also added charges of criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidence against him. They have also accused him of accepting payment through Pakistan, Syria and other countries. 

Journalist Mohd Zubair's bail plea rejected: Delhi Police lawyer

Mohammed Zubair, the founder of fact-checking website Alt News, has been denied bail and sent to judicial custody for 14 days by a Delhi court. 

The journalist was arrested earlier this week for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through one of his tweets in 2018.&nbsp;

Mohammed Zubair, the founder of fact-checking website Alt News, has been denied bail and sent to judicial custody for 14 days by a Delhi court.&nbsp;
The journalist was arrested earlier this week for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through one of his tweets in 2018.&nbsp;
Delhi Police's lawyer Atul Shrivastava said that they have also added charges of criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidence against him. They have also accused him of accepting payment through Pakistan, Syria and other countries.&nbsp;
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/journalists-shouldn-t-be-jailed-for-what-they-write-tweet-and-say-un-spokesperson-1656465845849" target="_blank">Journalists shouldn't be jailed for what they write, tweet and say: UN spokesperson</a>

The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the stand of Delhi police on a plea by Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair challenging the legality of his police remand while adjourning the hearing for 4 weeks. It will now hear the case on July 27
The journalist was arrested for an alleged objectionable tweet he had posted in 2018 against a Hindu deity.
The High Court has granted two weeks to the police to file its response to the petition which challenges the trial court's June 28 order granting four days of custody of Zubair to the police.
Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on June 27 and sent to one-day police custody by the trial court on the same day.
After being produced on the expiry of his one-day custodial interrogation, his custody was extended by another four days by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Snigdha Sarvaria.
(With PTI inputs)

Delhi HC adjourns journalist Zubair's plea against police remand for 4 weeks

The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the stand of Delhi police on a plea by Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair challenging the legality of his police remand while adjourning the hearing for 4 weeks.

The High Court has granted two weeks to the police to file its response to the petition which challenges the trial court's June 28 order granting four days of custody of Zubair to the police.

The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the stand of Delhi police on a plea by Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair challenging the legality of his police remand while adjourning the hearing for 4 weeks. It will now hear the case on July 27.&nbsp;
The journalist was arrested for an alleged objectionable tweet he had posted in 2018 against a Hindu deity.
The High Court has granted two weeks to the police to file its response to the petition which challenges the trial court's June 28 order granting four days of custody of Zubair to the police.
Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on June 27 and sent to one-day police custody by the trial court on the same day.
After being produced on the expiry of his one-day custodial interrogation, his custody was extended by another four days by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Snigdha Sarvaria.
(With PTI inputs)
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/journalists-shouldn-t-be-jailed-for-what-they-write-tweet-and-say-un-spokesperson-1656465845849" target="_blank">Journalists shouldn't be jailed for what they write, tweet and say: UN spokesperson</a>

Calling it "extremely disturbing", the Editors Guild of India has ondemned the arrest of fact-checker Mohammed Zubair and demanded his immediate release. Pointing to commitments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the G7 meeting in Germany to ensure a resilient democracy by protecting online and offline content, the journalist body said his release would support India's position.
Zubair was arrested for a 2018 tweet that police say was "highly provocative and more than sufficient to incite feelings of hatred" among people. The Guild said Zubair and his website AltNews have done some exemplary work over the past few years in identifying fake news and countering disinformation campaigns, in a very objective and factual manner.Slamming "those who use disinformation as a tool to polarise the society and rake nationalist sentiments", the Editors Guild of India further stated that AltNews' "alert vigilance" was resented by them.
 

Mohammad Zubair arrest: Editors Guild invokes PM Modi G7 joint statement

Zubair was arrested for a 2018 tweet that police say was "highly provocative and more than sufficient to incite feelings of hatred" among people.&nbsp;

Calling it "extremely disturbing", the Editors Guild of India has ondemned the arrest of fact-checker Mohammed Zubair and demanded his immediate release. Pointing to commitments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the G7 meeting in Germany to ensure a resilient democracy by protecting online and offline content, the journalist body said his release would support India's position.
Zubair was arrested for a 2018 tweet that police say was "highly provocative and more than sufficient to incite feelings of hatred" among people.&nbsp; The Guild said Zubair and his website AltNews have done some exemplary work over the past few years in identifying fake news and countering disinformation campaigns, in a very objective and factual manner. Slamming "those who use disinformation as a tool to polarise the society and rake nationalist sentiments", the Editors Guild of India further stated that AltNews' "alert vigilance" was resented by them.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/g7-india-and-4-other-countries-pledge-to-protect-free-speech-online-and-offline-1656403021398" target="_blank">G7, India and 4 other countries pledge to protect free speech 'online and offline'</a>

Journalists should not be jailed for what they write, tweet and say, a spokesperson for UN chief Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday in response to the arrest of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in India, asserting that it is important that people be allowed to express themselves freely without the threat of any harassment.
Fact-checking website Alt News co-founder Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on Monday for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through one of his tweets posted in 2018.
He was produced before a magistrate, who sent him to police custody for a day.
Responding to the journalist Zubair’s arrest, Spokesman for the Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric said: “In any place around the world, it is very important that people be allowed to express themselves freely, journalists be allowed to express themselves freely and without the threat of any harassment”.
Dujarric was responding to a question at the daily news briefing here on Zubair’s arrest.
“Journalists should not be jailed for what they write, what they tweet and what they say. And that goes for anywhere in the world, including in this room,” Dujarric said in response to another question by a Pakistani journalist on whether he is also calling on Zubair’s release from custody.
Zubair’s arrest came days after the Gujarat authorities arrested Teesta Setalvad on the charges of "criminal conspiracy, forgery and placing false evidence in court to frame innocent people" in the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Also watch: Fact-checker journalist Mohd Zubair sent to police custody for 4 more days
The UN Human Rights agency has voiced concern over the arrest and detention of social activist Setalvad and called for her immediate release.
Setalvad was detained from her house in Juhu area of Mumbai on Saturday afternoon after an FIR was registered against her at the Ahmedabad crime branch based on a complaint lodged by crime branch inspector D B Barad. She was brought to Ahmedabad via road by the Gujarat police squad.

Journalists shouldn't be jailed for what they write, tweet and say: UN spokesperson

Journalists should not be jailed for what they write, tweet and say, a spokesperson for UN chief Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday in response to the arrest of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in India. 

Fact-checking website Alt News co-founder Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on Monday for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through one of his tweets posted in 2018.

Journalists should not be jailed for what they write, tweet and say, a spokesperson for UN chief Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday in response to the arrest of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in India, asserting that it is important that people be allowed to express themselves freely without the threat of any harassment.
Fact-checking website Alt News co-founder Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on Monday for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through one of his tweets posted in 2018.
He was produced before a magistrate, who sent him to police custody for a day.
Responding to the journalist Zubair&rsquo;s arrest, Spokesman for the Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric said: &ldquo;In any place around the world, it is very important that people be allowed to express themselves freely, journalists be allowed to express themselves freely and without the threat of any harassment&rdquo;.
Dujarric was responding to a question at the daily news briefing here on Zubair&rsquo;s arrest.
&ldquo;Journalists should not be jailed for what they write, what they tweet and what they say. And that goes for anywhere in the world, including in this room,&rdquo; Dujarric said in response to another question by a Pakistani journalist on whether he is also calling on Zubair&rsquo;s release from custody.
Zubair&rsquo;s arrest came days after the Gujarat authorities arrested Teesta Setalvad on the charges of "criminal conspiracy, forgery and placing false evidence in court to frame innocent people" in the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/fact-checker-journalist-mohd-zubair-sent-to-police-custody-for-4-more-days-1656424871791">Fact-checker journalist Mohd Zubair sent to police custody for 4 more days</a>
The UN Human Rights agency has voiced concern over the arrest and detention of social activist Setalvad and called for her immediate release.
Setalvad was detained from her house in Juhu area of Mumbai on Saturday afternoon after an FIR was registered against her at the Ahmedabad crime branch based on a complaint lodged by crime branch inspector D B Barad. She was brought to Ahmedabad via road by the Gujarat police squad.

A Delhi court on Tuesday extended by four days the custodial interrogation of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in a case related to an “objectionable tweet” he had posted in 2018. 
Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on Monday for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through his tweet. 
While the police claim that his tweet had a questionable image with a purpose to deliberately insult the god of a particular religion, Zubair's lawyer told the court that the picture referred to his simply an image from 'Kisi Se Na Kehna' a 1983 film by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. 

Fact-checker journalist Mohd Zubair sent to police custody for 4 more days

A Delhi court on Tuesday extended by four days the custodial interrogation of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in a case related to an “objectionable tweet” he had posted in 2018. 

Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on Monday for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through his tweet.&nbsp;

A city court on Tuesday extended by four days the custodial interrogation of fact-checking website Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair, a day after he was arrested by the Delhi police over an &ldquo;objectionable tweet&rdquo; he had posted in 2018 against a Hindu deity.
As calls grow for the immediate release of the journalist, the Delhi Police claimed before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Snigdha Sarvaria that the accused was following a trend where he used religious tweets in an effort to get famous.
&ldquo;This was a deliberate effort on his part to create social disharmony and hurt religious feelings,&rdquo; the police alleged. The accused, however, alleged that the police is abusing its power and wanted a "fishing enquiry".
 Zubair was produced before the court on the expiry of his one-day custodial interrogation.
The police submitted before the court that Zubair did not cooperate with the investigating agency and that his custodial interrogation was required to gather information regarding the device from which the tweet was made by him.
During the hearing, Zubair's counsel Vrinda Grover said the photo which the accused used in the tweets is of an old Hindi film from 1983 by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, &ldquo;Kissi Se Na Kehna&rdquo;, and that the movie was not banned.
The court, however, rejected the submission saying it was of no assistance to the accused at this stage.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/mohammad-zubair-arrest-editors-guild-invokes-pm-modi-g7-joint-statement-1656408810890">Mohammad Zubair arrest: Editors Guild invokes PM Modi G7 joint statement</a>
&ldquo;Considering that mobile phone/laptop of accused used by him for posting the tweet in question is to be recovered at the instance of accused Mohammed Zubair from his Bangalore residence and that accused has remained non-cooperative and the disclosure statement on record, four days PC (police custody) remand of accused is granted since accused is to be taken to Bangalore,&rdquo; the judge said in a 3-page order.
The judge then directed that Zubair be produced before the court on July 2. Police had sought an extension of Zubair's custody by five days.
Grover opposed the police plea alleging that it had called Zubair for questioning in some other case but he was arrested in the present case in haste.
She said the tweet in question was published by Zubair in 2018.
&ldquo;Someone recently tweeted Zubair's tweet of 2018, and the present case was filed. The anonymous Twitter handle had its very first tweet, which cited Zubair's tweet, which has been picked up by police. The agency is playing mischief,&rdquo; the counsel said.
In any case, the Twitter handle using Zubair's tweet is not the spokesperson of all the Hanuman devotees, she added.
&ldquo;They're claiming that I edited the photo in question. The tweet is present there since 2018. Since 2018 that tweet has not created a flutter. Multiple Twitter users had shared the picture. Prima facie there is no case." &nbsp; &ldquo;Police is trying to create media hype, media frenzy. Police are abusing their power. They wanted my (Zubair's) laptop because I am a journalist and there is various sensitive information in it. They want a fishing enquiry,&rdquo; Grover said.

Journalist and Alt News co-founder Mohammad Zubair was arrested on Monday by the Delhi Police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, officials said.
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 Indian Penal Code against Zubair, K P S Malhotra, DCP (Cyber Crime), said.
Zubair joined the probe on Monday and after gathering sufficient evidence on record, he was arrested, Malhotra said.
He said Zubair is being produced before a magistrate for seeking police remand. 

 Journalist and Alt News co-founder Mohammad Zubair arrested

Journalist and Alt News co-founder Mohammad Zubair was arrested on Monday by the Delhi Police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, officials said.

Journalist and Alt News co-founder Mohammad Zubair was arrested on Monday by the Delhi Police for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, officials said.

&nbsp;Fact-checking website Alt News co-founder Mohammad Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on Monday for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through one of his tweets, officials said.
Earlier this month, a case against Zubair was 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 Indian Penal Code (IPC), K P S Malhotra, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Cell), said.
Zubair was produced before a magistrate, who sent him to police custody for a day.
Opposition leaders, including former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government over Zubair's arrest.
The Alt News co-founder 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.
Police said the case was registered on the complaint of a Twitter user who accused Zubair of hurting religious sentiments.
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.
In another tweet, he alleged that after the medical examination, Zubair was taken to an undisclosed location.
"...Neither Zubair's lawyers or I are being told where. We are in the police van with him. No police person is wearing any name tag," Sinha alleged.
Police in a statement said Zubair was "evasive" on their questions and neither provided the "necessary technical equipment" for the purpose of the investigation nor cooperated in the case.
"During investigation, the conduct of Mohammed Zubair was found questionable, which warranted his custodial interrogation to unravel the conspiracy in this matter. Accordingly, he has been arrested," the statement said.
According to the officials, Zubair's tweets were getting re-tweeted and it appeared that there was a brigade of social media entities who indulged in hate mongering, thereby leading to a possible ramification on communal harmony and which was against the maintenance of public tranquillity.
On Monday, Zubair joined the probe in a case registered against him in connection with another tweet in 2020. During the investigation of the case, the Delhi Police had given a status report, in which that tweet was not found to be objectionable.
But his subsequent tweets were found to be questionable and derogatory, the police said, adding that in the investigation of FIR number 194/20, Zubair was examined earlier and the probe is about to be concluded.
"In June 2022, when Delhi Police was alerted by a Twitter handle that Mohammad Zubair had made an objectionable tweet earlier and his followers/social media entities had amplified and created a series of debates/hate mongering in the thread, he was examined in the case registered earlier this month and his role was found objectionable," the statement said.
Opposition leaders slammed the Centre over Zubair's arrest "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," Gandhi said in a tweet.
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