Kerala-based journalist Siddique Kappan on Friday got bail from the Supreme Court after nearly 23 months. Siddique Kappan was arrested from Mathura on October 5, 2020.
Siddique Kappan was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police for conspiring to incite violence in the Hathras case. Sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) have been imposed on Siddique. Earlier, the Allahabad High Court had rejected Kappan’s bail plea, calling the matter serious.
The Chief Justice said that Supreme Court will order Kappan Siddiqui to be granted bail. But the government should suggest what can be the conditions.
The bail plea filed by Siddique was heard on Friday. A bench headed by Chief Justice UU Lalit heard the matter. During this, the Supreme Court agreed to release Kappan on bail.
After the Hathras incident, CJI Justice UU Lalit asked the UP government on the petition of journalist Siddique Kappan, arrested on several charges including inciting the public, whether any explosive material was found from Kappan’s possession. Or any such material was found, which seemed that he was plotting. The Supreme Court said that it seems that the matter has not even reached the stage of framing of charges.
On behalf of the UP government, it was said that the charges can be fixed in two months. Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for the UP government, said that no explosion was found near Kappan. Objectionable literature was found in his car. He came to know that he is associated with PFI. On this, the CJI asked what is found dangerous in literature?
On this, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Kappan, said that the literature was to bring justice to the Hathras victim. Also said that Kappan is in jail since October 2020.