Fresh charges on the Alt News co-founder, Mohammad Zubair on receiving lakhs of funding in his bank accounts by foreign shores. Although there is no solid proof discovered till now, he has been sent to 14-days of judicial custody by the Delhi police.
Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair was arrested just five days before by the Delhi Police over a 2018 tweet for charges pertaining to hurt religious sentiments and promoting enmity. The FIR against him was led by Bhagwan Sharan, district head of Rashtriya Hindu Sher Sena.
Read about his previous arrest: https://tdznkwjt9mxt6p1p8657.cleaver.live/fir-filed-against-the-alt-news-co-founder-mohammed-zubair-for-hurting–religious-sentiments/
On 2nd of July, Delhi police added fresh charges against him for pertaining “criminal conspiracy” and “disappearance of evidence”. The police reported the three new charges against him to the Patiala court.
The three new Sections are – 201 (for the destruction of evidence – formatted phone and deleted tweets), 120-(B) (for criminal conspiracy) of IPC and 35 of FCRA (Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act) in the matter.
During the hearing earlier, police told the court that Mr Zubair is also accused of hurting religious sentiments with criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidence, and sections of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act or FCRA.
Therefore, the Enforcement Directorate also stepped in for a money-laundering probe as an FIR has been lodged on the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act or FCRA.
The top focus of the allegation is that he allegedly received lakhs of funding from foreign shores in Zubair’s bank accounts. The Delhi police have given a copy of the FIR lodged against him, his bank details to the ED (Directorate of Enforcement) – the details of his bank account including the Pravda foundation ICICI Bank information. As per the investigation, Rs 56 lakh has been illegally credited into his account in the last three months. The police have stated that many donations came from countries like Pakistan and Syria. Upon considering the gravity of the case, it was decided that further custody was needed.
It was said on behalf of Delhi Police that Zubair was called for questioning by issuing a notice under section 41A, but he did not give accurate information on some facts and did not cooperate in the investigation when the officials questioned him. After this, the arrest action was taken by the police.
Therefore, this Alt News co-founder was first arrested on June 27 for hurting the sentiments of Hindus through an objectionable tweet. The Delhi Magistrate Court ordered a 4 days of police custody for him, which ended on July 2nd.
And now the Delhi police have sought a 14-day judicial custody of Mohammed Zubair from the Court noting it as an initial stage by considering overall facts, circumstances, nature and gravity of the offences in the case.
Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Snigdha Sarvaria of the Patiala House court here pronounced the order of a 14-days judicial custody around 7 p.m., almost five hours after the Special Cell (IFSO) DCP K.P.S. A “broadcast” message has also been sent through media that Mr. Zubair’s bail had been rejected and he will remain in judicial custody for 14 days.
Atul Shrivastava has been appointed as the Special Public Prosecutor for Delhi Police in the case of this Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair was accused of demeaning religious sentiments by commenting on a Hindu deity through social media.
Meanwhile, Zubair moved Delhi High Court challenging the police remand granted by Patiala House Court to the Delhi Police Special Cell. The Court denied his bail. On Friday, the Delhi High Court had issued a notice to Delhi Police on the plea moved by Zubair challenging the police custody remand granted by a trial court.
