New Delhi: The 79-year-old former vice-chancellor of Lucknow University Roop Rekha Verma offers surety for Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan as he is languishing in jail despite being granted bail by the Supreme Court days ago.
When Kappan was in trouble unable to find two local sureties with each having Rs 1 lakh worth of value either in their account or by way of assets, Verma came forward offering the help.
Kappan's lawyer Mohamed Dhanish told The Quint that local sureties became necessary because of the "sensitive nature of the case".
Though Kappan received bail in the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act case nine days before, people are "hesitant" to come forward to help the journalist, his lawyer reportedly said.
Kappan has been in jail for almost two years after he was arrested while on his way to Hathras in 2020 to report the gang-rape and death of a Dalit teenager by 'upper' caste men.
Kappan is currently doing time in jail in Lucknow, just as he is facing a case by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The court posted on Friday to consider his bail application related to the case.
Professor Roop Rekha Verma, who distributes campaign pamphlets on the streets of Lucknow, wants to spread awareness among people to keep the spirit of the 1857 revolution alive, in order to maintain peace and brotherhood in the nation.
She evokes what is known in history as 'The Siege of Lucknow' a prolonged defence of the British Residency in Lucknow during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Professor Verma strives to shed light on the freedom struggle in order to keep the revolution of freedom alive, thus helping people not to forget history.