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The Supreme Court of India has provided a significant relief to Kerala-based journalist Siddique Kappan by relaxing a bail condition imposed on him in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court, on November 4, 2024, granted Kappan's petition to be exempted from the requirement to report to the local police station every week. This decision effectively removes a considerable burden from Kappan, who had been subject to this condition since his release on bail in September 2022.
Kappan's arrest in October 2020, while he was on his way to Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, following the tragic death of a Dalit woman who was allegedly gangraped, had sparked widespread concern regarding press freedom and the potential misuse of the UAPA. While the state of Uttar Pradesh accused Kappan of being an 'agent provocateur' for the 'terror gang' Popular Front of India, Kappan and his legal team maintained that he was simply doing his journalistic duty and that the case was a form of 'persecution', not prosecution.
The Supreme Court's decision to relax Kappan's bail condition reflects the court's emphasis on upholding the fundamental right to free expression. The court's September 2022 order, while granting bail, had imposed the reporting condition, which some viewed as an unnecessary restriction on Kappan's freedom. This latest ruling signifies a further step towards recognizing the importance of journalistic independence and the need for fair treatment within the legal system.
Source: SC relaxes journalist Siddique Kappan’s bail condition