Additional Solicitor General SV Raju said the act of Alt News co-founder Zubair publicly calling seers as “hate mongers” has potential to outrage religious feelings of a particular community and incite violence.
The Supreme Court on Friday granted five-day interim bail to Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in connection with an FIR lodged against him in Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh for allegedly outraging religious sentiments. The top court also restrained Zubair from posting anything on Twitter with regard to the case, and asked him not to leave the jurisdiction of Delhi court.
-
A vacation bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and JK Maheshari issued notice on Zubair’s plea and listed it for further hearing before a regular bench.
-
It clarified that its interim bail order is with respect to the FIR lodged in Sitapur and has nothing to do with a case registered against him in Delhi.
-
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.
-
Alt News co-founder Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on June 27 for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through one of his tweets.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the investigating officer in the Uttar Pradesh matter, said a prime facie case is made out under section 295 (A) of IPC (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and under section 153A (promoting enmity between groups). He said the act of Zubair publicly calling seers as “hate mongers” has potential to outrage religious feelings of a particular community and incite violence.
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for Zubair, said he is admitting to the tweets but these tweets do not disclose commission of any offence and has only pointed out to the offences of hate speeches and police has subsequently taken action against the perpetrators. Gonsalves said there is a threat to his life and he needs to be protected as it is a question of right to life.
The bench directed that a translated order of the Uttar Pradesh court be filed along with other documents before the next date of hearing.
Source : The New Indian Express
