Pinnacle court gives bail to Journalist Zubair and pre-arrest bail extension in Uttar Pradesh case

Alt co-founder Mohd Zubair has been accused of constructing objectionable remarks.

The Supreme Court has extended the interim bail granted to journalist and fact-checker Mohammed Zubair over the FIR registered against him in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur. Zubair's plea to quash the FIR (first information report) are heard next on September 7. The protection from arrest has also been extended till the following hearing.

In Sitapur, Zubair has been accused of injuring religious sentiments after he posted videos of three right-wing leaders who are separately being prosecuted for hate speech. The Alt-News co-founder had earlier secured protection from arrest from the Supreme Court within the case. While ordering the interim bail, the highest court had said that Zubair would want to stay within the Sitapur court’s jurisdiction and not tweet or destroy any evidence.

The 33-year-old now has three cases against him within the case - one in Delhi and two in Uttar Pradesh. other than Sitapur, a case has been filed in Lakhimpur Kheri in UP too.

On Monday, a neighborhood court in Lakhimpur Kheri said that the Alt News co-founder would be in judicial custody for 14 days, refusing the state police’s request for his custody. it's set to listen to the matter next on Wednesday.

All of the cases are linked to tweets. He was arrested by the Delhi Police on June 17 for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.

Earlier within the day, a Delhi court postponed his bail hearing for Thursday after Special Public Prosecutor's request, citing unavailability. His lawyer, Vrinda Grover, alleged delaying tactics.