Terror accused reporter gets bail

INDIA’S top court last Friday (9) bailed a journalist held in custody for nearly two years without trial on accusations that he had raised funds for terrorism and conspired to sow religious hatred.

Siddique Kappan was arrested in October 2020 in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, where he had travelled to report on a high-profile gang-rape case.

He and three others were accused of belonging to an Islamic fundamentalist group and eventually charged with conspiracy to incite violence.

Kappan has maintained his innocence and said he had only travelled from his home state of Kerala to do his duties as a journalist.

The Supreme Court agreed to bail the reporter after noting the case had yet to progress from the police investigation filed in April last year.

“He is trying to show victims need justice and raise a common voice,” the court said.