On 13th January, the Delhi High Court dismissed a petition filed by the co-founder of Alt News and propagandist Mohammed Zubair, seeking the return of devices and documents seized by Delhi Police in connection with the 2018 controversial tweet case. Zubair specifically wanted his mobile phone back from Delhi Police’s custody but failed to mention it in the plea. A single-judge bench presided over by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma advised Zubair to approach the concerned magistrate to seek relief in the matter.
Zubair’s request for adjournment denied
Zubair was represented by Advocate Soutik Banerjee. During the hearing, Zubair’s advocate sought an adjournment, which was opposed by the counsel for Delhi Police, saying that the matter no longer held relevance. The court noted in its order that one of the petition’s prayers, which challenged Zubair’s four-day police custody in 2022, had already become ineffective.
Banerjee claimed that the police had seized devices beyond the scope of the FIR. However, Justice Sharma observed that the petitioner did not identify a specific device or document in the plea. Replying to the judge, Banerjee clarified that the plea was about his mobile phone. The court then directed Zubair to file an appropriate application before the area magistrate for relief.
Arrest over controversial tweet
In June 2022, Mohammed Zubair was arrested by Delhi Police for hurting religious sentiments and promoting enmity via a tweet dating back to 2018. In his controversial post, he had renamed a “Honeymoon Hotel” to Bhagwan Hanuman’s name. In the FIR filed against him, the complainant said that the tweet insulted the Hindu religion and was provocative enough to incite hatred.
He was booked under Sections 153A and 295 of the Indian Penal Code. Furthermore, additional charges under Sections 295A, 201, and 120B of the IPC and Section 35 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, were later invoked. On 15th July 2022, he was granted bail by a Sessions Court.
Mohammed Zubair’s career has been marred by several controversies, with the latest being booked by UP Police, accusing him of creating social disharmony. The Allahabad High Court stayed his arrest in the case in December 2024 as a relief but restricted him from leaving the country.
