Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair sent to four-day police custody over 2018 tweet

Mohammed Zubair of Alt News was arrested late on Monday in a case related to an “objectionable tweet” he had posted in 2018 against a Hindu deity.

Updated on: Jun 28, 2022, 18:02:54 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

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The Delhi Police on Tuesday was given four-day custody of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair. The journalist was produced before chief metropolitan magistrate of Patiala House Court Snigdha Sarvaria on the expiry of his one-day custodial interrogation.

File photo of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair (Twitter)

Zubair was arrested late on Monday in a case related to an “objectionable tweet” he had posted in 2018 against a Hindu deity.

Police said Zubair had used controversial tweets in effort to get fame, adding other FIRs were also registered against him in different matters.

Earlier, police said Zubair was 'evasive' when asked questions and did not provide the 'necessary technical equipment' or co-operate with the authorities.

Zubair has reportedly refused to hand over personal electronic devices used by him in 2018 - which he may have used to make the social media post. Zubair's arrest came weeks after he had flagged ex-BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma's comments in the Prophet row.

Also read | 'Those exposing BJP's bigotry…': Oppn condemns Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair's arrest

Zubair's colleague and Alt News co-founder Pratik Sinha alleged that Zubair was arrested without notice, which is mandatory under law for the sections under which he has been held. He also said that no police person in the van in which Zubair was taken away was wearing any name tag.

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