Journalist Mohammed Zubair, one of the founders of fact-checking website AltNews was arrested on Monday by the IFSO ( Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Operations) unit of the Delhi Police based on a complaint by a man alleging Zubair hurt his religious sentiments. The Delhi Police on Monday took Zubair into custody with charges of hurting religious sentiments and promoting enmity.
AltNews co-founder Pratik Sinha said Mohammed Zubair was called to Delhi for questioning in a different case but arrested in this one. Mandatory notice was not given, Mr Sinha alleged. “No FIR copy is being given to us despite repeated requests,” he tweeted.
An FIR under IPC Section 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups) and 295-A (malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings) was registered against Zubair earlier this month.
The case is based on a tweet by Mohammed Zubair that came to the police’s notice after a Twitter handle called ‘Hanuman Bhakt (@balajikijaiin)’ expressed anger over it, ANI reported.
DCP (IFSO) K P S Malhotra said, “Today during the course of investigation of a case, registered at Special Cell police station, Mohammed Zubair joined the investigation and after having sufficient evidence on record, he was arrested. He is being produced before the magistrate for seeking further police custody remand for the purpose of the investigation of the case.”
