Delhi court sends Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair to four-day police custody

He was earlier arrested in a case related to an objectionable tweet he posted in 2018 against a Hindu deity.

Delhi Police produced Zubair before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Snigdha Sarvaria and submitted that he was not cooperating with the investigating agency and was evasive, when asked questions and did not provide the 'necessary technical equipment'.

Police submitted that Zubair had refused to hand over personal electronic devices used by him in 2018, which he used to make the social media post.

The Counsel for Zubair submitted that he was maliciously targeted. He was a journalist, who exposed people posting fake news and videos on social media. Such people did not like him, added the Counsel.

Delhi Police submitted that Zubair was charged with allegedly hurting the religious sentiments and an FIR under Sections 153-A(promoting enmity between different group) and 295-A (malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feeling) was registered against him.

It was submitted on behalf of Zubair that he was arrested without notice, which was mandatory under law.

The CMM had earlier reserved its order on the plea seeking five-day police custody of Zubair and today granted him four-day police custody.

(With UNI inputs)