Siddique Kappan, a journalist from Kerala, finally moved out of jail on the morning of the 2nd of February, Thursday.
The journalist from Kerala was booked by the Uttar Pradesh Government under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) after being arrested from the Mathura toll plaza, along with three others, in 2020. Speaking of his arrest, Siddique along with three others was on his way to cover the Hathras gangrape in 2020 but was arrested for alleged instigation of violence in Hathras. The police while arresting Siddique Kappan also claimed that he is an active member of the banned People Front of India (PFI,) trying to disturb law and orders in Uttar Pradesh. He was booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Information Technology (IT) Act. Later, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also booked Siddique Kappan in a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA.)
After spending 28 months in the Lucknow District Jail, Siddique Kappan finally walked out of the jail. He was granted bail on the evening of the 1st of February, after he submitted two sureties of Rs. 1 lakh each. The Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court of Lucknow granted bail and signed the release orders of the Kerala Journalist and three others. A single bench of justice D.K. Singh had granted bail to Kappan pointing out that the enforcement directorate’s (ED) investigation lacked ascribing any specific role to Kappan in the case relating to the illicit transaction of money to the tune of Rs. 1.36 crore, allegedly collected by now banned Popular Front of India (PFI) to spread terror in the country.
After coming out of jail, Kappan thanked the media for supporting him and expressed happiness. He said, “I have come out of jail after 28 months. I want to thank the media for supporting me. False allegations were put against me. I am happy to be out now.”
In addition, Siddique Kappan’s family who fought against the Uttar Pradesh Government and police extended gratitude to those supporting the journalist. They expressed happiness and pride in Siddique Kappan.
Mango News Link
Telegram: https://t.me/mangonewsofficial
Google Play Store: https://bit.ly/2R4cbgN
Apple / iOS Store: https://apple.co/2xEYFJ
