The Allahabad High Court, on Friday, December 20, granted interim protection from arrest to fact-checker Mohammed Zubair in a case registered against him for a post on X, formerly Twitter, criticising Dasna Devi priest Yati Narsinghanand.
The case pertains to Zubair’s comments on a speech made by the priest, which he termed as “derogatory and hateful.”
The Uttar Pradesh police had booked Zubair under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), accusing him of endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India. The charges stemmed from a post where Zubair had criticised Narsinghanand for his controversial remarks, which reportedly included provocative statements.
Zubair’s legal representatives argued that his post was an exercise of free speech and an effort to draw attention to inflammatory rhetoric. The High Court, while granting interim relief, observed that the matter required further examination and stayed any coercive action against Zubair until the case is reviewed.
Zubair, co-founder of Alt News, a prominent fact-checking organisation, has been vocal in countering hate speech and misinformation on social media platforms.
Narsinghanand, a controversial figure, has been criticised in the past for his provocative speeches. The latest case highlights the growing tensions surrounding online discourse, with both free speech and public order becoming subjects of intense debate.