Siddique to leave jail today

Court formalities completed for journalist’s release on bail

The sureties required for the release of Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan on bail have been submitted in a court here and his lawyer said he might walk out of jail on Thursday.

When asked whether formalities related to Kappan's submission of sureties have been done in the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court, his lawyer Mohamed Dhanish K S told the media, “Sureties were presented in the court today. Court part is complete now. Release order sent to jail.”

He said the release is expected anytime on Thursday.

The lawyer said the judge was present in the court on Wednesday and he approved the sureties.

Two sureties of Rs 1 lakh each could not be submitted on Tuesday in the PMLA court here due to the absence of the judge.

Kappan is currently lodged in the Lucknow district jail.

No comments about receiving of the release order of Kappan could be obtained from the jailor of Lucknow district jail as he did not answer phone calls.

Kappan and three others were arrested in October 2020 while they were on way to Hathras where a Dalit woman had died allegedly after being raped. The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court here had to verify the two sureties of Rs 1 lakh each he was asked to provide before he is released on bail.

His lawyer had said on the previous day that they could not submit the sureties, as the judge was not present at the PMLA court due to the annual elections of the Oudh Bar Association.

Kappan and the other three were accused of trying to instigate violence over the death of the Hathras woman, which had triggered outrage.

Police had alleged that Kappan had links with the nowbanned Popular Front of India (PFI), and charged him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and sections of the Indian Penal Code.