New Delhi, December 23
The Allahabad High Court on Friday granted bail to Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan in a case registered against him by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The bail order from Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh is expected to pave the way for the release of Kappan who was arrested on October 5, 2020, while on his way to Hathras in Uttar Pradesh to cover a gang-rape of a Dalit woman.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had on September 9 granted bail to him in connection with a case registered against him by the Uttar Pradesh Police under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
“Every person has the right to free expression. He was trying to show that the victim needs justice and raise a common voice. Is that a crime in the eyes of law? Similar protests were in 2012 at India Gate, which led to a change of law. Till now you (UP Police) have not shown anything provocative…,” a Bench led by the then Chief Justice of India UU Lalit Bench had noted while granting him bail.
However, despite having been granted bail by the top court in the UAPA case, Kappan could not be released as he had also been arrested in a PMLA case by the ED.
A trial court had on December 8 framed charges against Kappan and six others under Sections 3 (offence of money laundering) and 4 (punishment for money laundering) of the PMLA. On October 31, a sessions court in Lucknow had dismissed his bail plea in the PMLA case. (With agency inputs)
