Mohammed Zubair booked for alleged threat to India’s sovereignty over tweet on Yati Narsinghanand
Ghaziabad Police add s.152 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and s.66 of IT Act to the FIR against Zubair.
Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court was informed on November 27 that Mohammed Zubair, journalist and co-founder of Alt News, is now being charged with offences under s.152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and s.66 of the Information Technology Act. This follows an FIR lodged by Ghaziabad Police over Zubair’s tweet calling out Yati Narsinghanand for alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad.
Zubair has approached the High Court, seeking protection from arrest. During the hearing on November 25, the Court directed the investigating officer (IO) to file an affidavit specifying the penal sections applied. The IO’s affidavit submitted today disclosed the addition of new charges to the FIR. The Court permitted the amendment and scheduled the next hearing for December 3.
Under s.152 of the BNS, actions or communications that incite secession, rebellion, or activities endangering India's unity and sovereignty can lead to life imprisonment or up to seven years of imprisonment along with a fine.
The FIR against Zubair was based on a complaint by Udita Tyagi, General Secretary of the Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati Foundation. Tyagi accused Zubair of inciting violence by sharing an old video clip of Narsinghanand on October 3.
The complaint emerged after Zubair highlighted a public speech made by Narsinghanand on September 29, allegedly containing hate speech against Prophet Muhammad. Zubair referred to the speech as "derogatory and hateful" in his tweet.
While FIRs were registered against Narsinghanand across states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Telangana, for inciting communal hatred, his supporters accused Zubair, Arshad Madani, and Asaduddin Owaisi of provoking protests at Ghaziabad’s Dasna Devi Temple.
In his plea, Zubair alleged that the FIR against him is a malicious attempt to deter him from exposing Narsinghanand’s communal and derogatory remarks. He also pointed out that Tyagi had referred to the FIR as a "publicity stunt" in a social media post.
Further developments are awaited as the High Court will hear the matter next on December 3.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Vijay unable to prove majority, not invited for CM oath ceremony: Sources
Chennai: Actor-politician Vijay has reportedly not been invited to take oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after failing to demonstrate support from the required number of MLAs, sources in Raj Bhavan said.
According to media reports that quoted sources in the office of R.N. Ravi Arlekar, Vijay could not prove the backing of 118 legislators, the majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Despite last-minute efforts to secure support from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazagam (AMMK), and an IUML legislator, Vijay reportedly managed support from only 116 MLAs, falling short by two members.
Sources said Vijay failed to submit letters of support from the VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Later, the IUML issued a statement clarifying that it was not part of the TVK-led alliance.
Meanwhile, AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran is also said to have informed the Governor that his party would support the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) instead.
Earlier in the evening, Vijay had met Governor Arlekar and staked claim to form the government, stating that he enjoyed the support of 118 MLAs.
