New Delhi:
Journalist Mohammed Zubair, one of many founders of fact-checking web site AltNews, was arrested by the Delhi Police at this time on fees of wounding spiritual sentiments and selling enmity.
The case is predicated on a criticism made by Twitter deal with ‘@balajikijaiin’ this month, alleging that Mr Zubair had tweeted a “questionable” picture to “intentionally insult the god of a selected faith”, police mentioned. Mr Zubair had posted that tweet in March 2018.
Current case registered on foundation of a put up on Twitter by deal with Hanuman Bhakt @ balajikijaiin the place he confirmed his anger towards one other Twitter deal with in title of Mohammed Zubair relating to the put up “BEFORE 2014: Honeymoon Lodge. After 2014: Hanuman Lodge”:Delhi police sr officers
— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2022
AltNews co-founder Pratik Sinha mentioned that Mr Zubair was referred to as to Delhi for questioning in a special case. Obligatory discover was not given for arrest, he alleged. “No FIR copy is being given to us regardless of repeated requests.”
Please be aware. pic.twitter.com/gMmassggbx
— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) June 27, 2022
Police, nonetheless, mentioned Mr Zubair joined the investigation on this case, registered on the Particular Cell police station, and was arrested “after having enough proof on file”. He’s nonetheless being questioned and police will current him earlier than a Justice of the Peace tomorrow to hunt additional custody, it’s learnt.
Based in 2017 as a non-profit, AltNews is among the many world’s most distinguished fact-checking shops. Its founders have been dealing with on-line trolling and police instances, notably by right-wing teams, for years.
Saying that AltNews supplies a “very important service”, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor termed Mr Zubair’s arrest an “assault on fact”, and demanded his launch.
India’s few fact-checking companies, particularly @AltNews, carry out an important service in our post-truth political setting, rife with disinformation. They debunk falsehoods whoever perpetrates them. To arrest @zoo_bear is an assault on fact. He needs to be launched instantly.
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 27, 2022
One other Congress chief, Rajya Sabha member Jairam Ramesh, alleged that the Delhi police is performing in a vengeful method as AltNews exposes the federal government’s bogus claims.
Altnews & @zoo_bear have been within the forefront of exposing the bogus claims of the Vishguru, who has struck again with a vengeance attribute of him. Delhi Police, reporting to the Union House Minister, has lengthy misplaced any pretensions of professionalism and independence. https://t.co/OPi1MMth5g
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 27, 2022
Lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan, too, reacted angrily. “This authorities goes after those that are exposing hate speech,” he instructed NDTV.