The Allahabad High Court Yesterday (Dec 20) provided interim protection from arrest to Alt News journalist Mohammed Zubair, who is facing charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). While the Court noted that the allegations under Section 196 BNS (promoting enmity between different groups) appeared to be largely supported by the FIR, it stated that the applicability of Section 152 BNS (endangering the sovereignty and integrity of the nation) warranted further examination.
Today, On 20th December, The Uttar Pradesh government told the Allahabad High Court that Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of Alt News, posted messages on X with “half-baked information” about Yati Narsinghanand’s speech. The state said these posts “harmed India’s sovereignty and integrity” and aimed to incite violence while encouraging separatist feelings. Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal shared these claims before Justices Siddhartha Varma and Nalin Kumar Srivastava.
Today, On 18th December, During hearing on Alt-News Co-founder Mohammed Zubair’s plea, the Allahabad High Court stated, “Whatever Yati Narsinghanand says, you cannot go to social media.” Zubair is challenging an FIR that accuses him of promoting enmity through a post on ‘X.’ The court highlighted the importance of addressing grievances through legal avenues instead of social media. The case focuses on finding a balance between free speech and its potential misuse in inciting public unrest.
Alt-News co-founder Mohammed Zubair’s plea against an FIR related to his tweet about Yati Narsinghanand was mistakenly heard by a recused judge. His legal team highlighted the error, prompting reassignment to a new bench. The case raises important questions regarding judicial procedures and media freedom in India amid tensions over communal remarks.
International human rights organizations have strongly condemned the filing of a fresh FIR against Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair, calling it an attack on free expression. The groups urged the Union government to immediately withdraw the charges and uphold fundamental rights. They emphasized the critical role of independent journalism in a democracy and called for […]
The Delhi High Court expressed concern over the Delhi Police’s handling of a hate speech case involving derogatory remarks against journalist Mohammed Zubair. The police found no incriminating evidence, leading to no case against the accused, despite the court’s criticism of their actions. The court urged action against hate speech perpetrators.
