Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan walks out of jail after 2 years

Mangalore Today News Network

Lucknow, Feb 02, 2023: Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan, who was arrested in Uttar Pradesh on terror charges, has walked out of Lucknow jail after two years.

 

Kappan was arrested while he was on his way to Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, where a Dalit woman had died after allegedly being raped. He and three others were accused of having links with the now-banned Popular Front of India and being a part of a conspiracy to instigate violence.

"I went there [Hathras] to report. Reporting has become a crime. 28 months have passed, still haven’t got justice. But after 28 months of struggle, I am finally out. I am happy," Kappan told India Today after his release from jail.

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

Kappan was initially accused of sedition and charged under the anti-terror law UAPA. Later in February 2022, the ED filed a money laundering case against him, accusing him of receiving money from the banned PFI.

The Allahabad High Court had granted bail to Siddique Kappan on December 23 in the money laundering case. The sureties required for the release of Kappan on bail were submitted in a court on Wednesday and he was released today.

Courtesy: India Today