New Delhi, (11/6/2019): The Supreme Court came down heavily on Uttar Pradesh police for arresting freelance journalist, Prashant Kanojia and ordered immediate release of the journalist on bail.
Hearing a plea filed by Kanojia’s wife, the bench observed that the liberty of a citizen is very important and non-negotiable and it is guaranteed by the Constitution and it cannot be infringed.”
During the hearing, the SC categorically said that it disapproves the “denial of liberty” while at the same time adding that the bench certainly do not approve Kanojia’s tweets.
Directing the immediate release of Kanojia, the SC said that the proceedings can take place against him but the action taken by the Uttar Pradesh police is “too harsh.”
Justice Indira Banerjee asked how the police can arrest a person over tweets, to which the public prosecutor replied that Kanojia had made provocative tweets against gods and religion on previous occasions and therefore offence of public mischief under Section 505 of IPC was added in the list of charges.
Banerjee expressed dissatisfaction over the prosecutor’s reply and said that remanding Kanojia till June 22 is inappropriate.
A Delhi-based journalist was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police on Saturday for sharing which was considered an objectionable post on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on social media
