Sehar Timings Mar 28 - Ramazan 17

Lahore
LHR
04:36 AM
Karachi
KHI
05:12 AM
Islamabad
ISB
04:38 AM
Peshawar
PWR
04:42 AM
Quetta
QTA
05:07 AM

News

India court bails journalist held for nearly two years without trial

September 9, 2022 08:27 PM


India's top court on Friday bailed a journalist held in custody for nearly two years without trial on accusations he had raised funds for terrorism and conspired to sow religious hatred.

Siddique Kappan was arrested in October 2020 in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, where he had travelled to report on a high-profile gang-rape case.

He and three others were accused of belonging to an Islamic fundamentalist group and eventually charged with conspiracy to incite violence.

Kappan has maintained his innocence and says that he had only travelled from his home state of Kerala to do his duties as a journalist.

The Supreme Court agreed to bail the reporter after noting the case had yet to progress from the police investigation filed in April last year.

"Every person has a right to free expression. He is trying to show that victims need justice and raise a common voice," the court said.

Earlier attempts to seek bail were rejected by lower courts.

India has slipped 10 places in the Reporters Without Borders press freedom ranking to 150 out of 180 since the Hindu nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014.

Critical reporters often find themselves behind bars and hounded on social media by supporters of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Nine other journalists are currently in Indian prisons, according to Reporters Without Borders.



Most Read

  1. Aitchison College principal resigns over differences with Punjab governor Aitchison College principal resigns over differences with Punjab governor
  2. Aitchison College students, parents stage protest against principal’s resignation Aitchison College students, parents stage protest against principal’s resignation
  3. Tribal firefight in Gotki, Motorways section shut down Tribal firefight in Gotki, Motorways section shut down
  4. Five Chinese among six killed in Shangla suicide bombing Five Chinese among six killed in Shangla suicide bombing
  5. Transferred: Lawman bears the brunt of flagging down lawmaker Transferred: Lawman bears the brunt of flagging down lawmaker
  6. Maaz Safder regrets 4-year relationship with wife Saba Maaz Safder regrets 4-year relationship with wife Saba

Opinion

  1. IMEC to sabotage CPEC
    IMEC to sabotage CPEC

    By Dr Asif Channer

  2. 1947 TO FORM 47
    1947 TO FORM 47

    By Dr Asif Channer

  3. Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....
    Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....

    By Ali Ramay

  4. Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses
    Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses

    By Ali Ramay

  5. Channer Pir: The Great Saint of Cholistan
    Channer Pir: The Great Saint of Cholistan

    By Dr Asif Channer

  6. Literate the Religious Illiterate
    Literate the Religious Illiterate

    By Dr Asif Channer