Friday, March 29, 2024

Siddique Kappan’s arrest: Supreme Court issues notice to UP government

Supreme Court issues notice to the Uttar Pradesh government in the habeas petition filed against the arrest and custody of Siddique Kappan, who is under custody under draconian UAPA charges since his arrest on 5 October by the Uttar Pradesh police while he was on his way to report the Hathras rape case.

The CJI bench posts the matter on Friday.

CJI Bobde expresses that the court might still send the matter back to High Court.

Kappan, secretary of Kerala Union of Working Journalists Delhi Unit has been working for several Malayalam media houses including azhimukham.com.

Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal appeared for Kerala Union of Working Journalists(KUWJ) in the habeas petition filed by them seeking the release of Siddiqque Kappan.

During the hearing, senior lawyer Kapil Sibal said he can’t go to the High Court and Kappan is not allowed to meet anyone.

The advocate has filed an affidavit saying that he could not meet Kappan in jail, Sibal said.

An Application for interim directions has also been filed, seeking for permission for the lawyers to meet Kappan, and for his family members to conduct regular interviews over video-conferencing.

The Application also prayed for directions to District Judge, Mathura or a High Court Judge to immediately visit the New Mathura Jail where Kappan is situated, to inquire about Human Rights Violation in the jail as well as the courts.

In the previous hearing, CJI had adjourned the matter by four weeks and directed Kappan to approach Allahabad High Court.

Last week, the arrest of Kappan, was mentioned in the Supreme Court during the hearing of the right wing journalist Arnab Goswami’s case.

Sibal, appearing for Maharashtra, had informed the court that Kappan was in custody since October 5 had been directed to approach the High Court.

Siddique Kappan has been in jail for over a month now, and his wife Raihanath CT told Maktoob that she has not been given permission to meet him or talk to him.

Journalist unions, political leaders, and national and international rights organizations released statements condemning the arrest of Kappan and demanded his immediate release.

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