Fact-Checker Mohammed Zubair denied bail, faces fresh allegations

Mangalore Today News Network / NDTV

New Delhi, July 02, 2022: Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair has been sent to judicial custody for two weeks in connection with a case related to "objectionable tweet" in 2018. The court passed the order after denying bail moved by his lawyer.

 

Earlier, while presenting Mr Zubair on the expiry of his five-day custodial interrogation, the Delhi Police told the court that he was not required for custodial interrogation but sought his judicial custody.

During the hearing, Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava also said that fresh charges of criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidence against the fact-checker. The new charges have been added along with Section 35 of the FCRA or Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, he said.

"Criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidence charges added to the FIR along with Section 35 of the FCRA," the Public Prosecutor told the Patiala House court. With criminal conspiracy added to the FIR, the Enforcement Directorate can step in for money laundering probe.

The Public Prosecutor claimed that Mr Zubair accepted money through Razorpay payment gateway from Pakistan, Syria and other countries, which requires further investigation.

"He came to office of special cell with phone. When it was analysed, it was found that prior to that day, he has been using another sim. When he received notice, he took out the same and put it in new mobile. Please see how clever the person is," the prosecutor told the court as he sought further custody of the accused.

Following the police plea, Mr Zubair’s lawyer moved a bail application before the court on the ground that her client was not required for the investigation. "I (Zubair) am not some terrorist that they need to secure my presence," the counsel said.

Mohammed Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on June 27 for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through one of his tweets and was sent to one-day police custody by the trial court on the same day.

Mr Zubair’s was arrested just days after he flagged a video of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma’s remarks against Prophet Mohammed on a TV show. Police said the case was registered on the complaint of a Twitter user who accused him of hurting religious sentiments.