The Supreme Court to listen to Zubair's plea on July 20, directs no precipitative steps be taken against him in UP FIRs

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S Bopanna passed the order after the matter was haunted for hearing upon being mentioned by Alt News co-founder's advocate

The Supreme Court Monday directed that no precipitative steps be taken against Alt News co-founder Mohd Zubair in reference to five FIRs lodged against him in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly outraging religious feelings.

The apex court observed that it seems to be a "vicious cycle" where the instant Zubair gets bail in one case, there's another FIR against him.

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S Bopanna said it might hear on July 20 the plea filed by Zubair, who is seeking quashing of those FIRs.

"In the meantime, we direct that no precipitative steps shall be taken against the petitioner (Zubair) in reference to any of the five FIRs, which are extracted above (in the order), without the leave of this court," the bench said while issuing notice on his plea.

The bench noted that Zubair was granted interim bail, which was last week extended till further orders, by the apex court in reference to a case lodged against him within the Sitapur district of province for allegedly outraging religious sentiments.

It also noted within the order that Zubair was granted bail by a Delhi court on July 15 in a very case lodged against him here.

"What seems to be happening is that the moment he got bail in Delhi, he got bail in Sitapur, the instant that happens, there's another FIR or he's produced in another FIR," the bench orally observed while terming it a "vicious cycle".

Earlier within the day, advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for Zubair, had mentioned the matter for urgent listing before a bench headed by magistrate N V Ramana.

"Upon being mentioned by Vrinda Grover, counsel appearing for the petitioner for urgent listing of matter, we grant liberty to the petitioner to say the matter before a bench presided over by Justice D Y Chandrachud," the CJI-led bench said in its order.

Later within the day, Grover mentioned the matter before the bench headed by Justice Chandrachud which said it might hear it during the day itself.

In the order, Justice Chandrachud-led bench noted that the topic matter of the current proceedings under Article 32 of the Constitution arises from five FIRs lodged against the petitioner.

"Since the petition isn't on board today, we direct the registry to list it on July 20," the bench said.

During the hearing, Grover said that now six FIRs are registered in Uttar Pradesh against Zubair -- two in Hathras, one each in Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Muzaffarnagar, and Ghaziabad.

She said once the apex court granted him interim bail in FIR lodged at Sitapur, a warrant in another FIR came.

The fresh plea of Zubair has also challenged the constitution of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe these cases.

The plea said all the FIRs filed in Uttar Pradesh that has been transferred to the SIT for investigation are the topic matter of the FIR which is being probed by the Delhi Police Special Cell.

The bench observed that it's requested law officer Tushar Mehta, who was present within the court, to help within the matter.

"What is going on Mr. Solicitor is that contents of of these FIRs seem to be similar," the bench observed during the hearing.

Mehta said he has not seen of these FIRs.

"We can have it the day after so you'll also take instructions and appearance at the FIRs," the bench said.

While mentioning the matter before the Justice Chandrachud-led bench, Grover had informed the court that Zubair is being produced before Hathras court today and therefore the remand order are going to be passed.

She had said that the matter requires an urgent hearing as there's a threat to his life.

"The FIR was lodged against Zubair by the complainant after a cash prize was placed on his head. this can be the identical FIRs and same allegations and same tweet. he's being produced before different courts of UP and remanded to judicial custody. Today, he's being produced before Hathras court," she said.

Separate FIRs are lodged against Zubair in Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar, and Hathras districts of state on charges of allegedly hurting religious feelings, making sarcastic remarks on news anchors, disrespecting Hindu gods, and inflammatory posts.