DTNEXT

Accused of PFI links, journo walks out of UP jail on bail after 28 mths

LUCKNOW: Accused of links with the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and charged with UAPA, Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan walked out of jail on Thursday, a day after the sureties required for his bail were submitted in court.

Two sureties of Rs 1 lakh each were submitted in the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court here.

Interacting with reporters, Kappan said, “It has been 28 months. I am out after a lot of fights. I am happy.”

On his visit to Hathras, Kappan said he had gone there for “reporting”. About those who had accompanied him, he said they were students.

To questions about recoveries made from him, Kappan said, “Nothing...I had only a laptop and mobile.”

Kappan was arrested in October 2020 while on way to Hathras where a Dalit woman died allegedly after being raped. They were accused of trying to instigate violence over her death.

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Thursday expressed happiness that “eventually Article 21 of the Constitution has triumphed” as Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan walked out of jail after over two years.

Article 21 of the Constitution deals with the right to protection of life and personal liberty.

Kappan was released from Lucknow district jail Thursday morning, a day after the sureties required for his bail were submitted in court.

He and three others were arrested in October 2020 while on their way to Hathras where a Dalit woman died allegedly after being raped. They were accused of trying to instigate violence over the death of the

Hathras woman.

Reacting to Kappan’s release, Chidambaram said, “I am glad that eventually Article 21 of the Constitution has triumphed and Siddique Kappan, the journalist from Kerala, is free.”

“Trial Court judges must push back on the demand for judicial custody which is really pre-trial incarceration,” the former home minister said.

Police had alleged that Kappan had links with the nowbanned Popular Front of India and charged him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and sections of the IPC.

In September last year, the Supreme Court granted him bail in connection with that case. But, he continued to be in jail because of the money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate.

FRONT PAGE

en-in

2023-02-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-02-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://news.dtnext.in/article/281934547095048

Daily Thanthi