Siddique Kappan
New Delhi: The Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) has filed a habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court against the arrest of journalist, Siddique Kappan, by the Uttar Pradesh Police.
Siddique was arrested at the toll plaza near Hathras, while on the way to Hathras in connection with the reporting of the gangrape and murder incident.
The petition reads that Siddique, a senior journalist based in Delhi, now functioning as secretary of KUWJ Delhi Unit, also a member of the executive committee of the union, has been contributing for several Malayalam media houses including azhimukham.com.
"The arrest was with a view to obstruct the discharge of duty in the capacity as journalist. The family members nor the colleagues were not informed about the arrest nor the place of the detention," the petition says.
"The present Writ petition is confined to facilitate a dignified democratic working atmosphere according to the letter, spirit and philosophy of the constitution of India, for the members of petitioner who are all working journalists, including access to Hathras and for the immediate release of Mr. Siddique Kappan," the petition said.
The journalists union asked the court to issue orders directing the respondents to produce Siddique before the apex court and release him from illegal detention.
The Union of India, the State of Uttar Pradesh, The Director General of Police and the Commissioner of Police are the respondents of the petition.