Has Indian administration or police no fear of the Judicial system ?

Indian Journalist Siddique Kappan got released after two years in India. He was arrested in October 2020 after he was on his way to cover a high profile case. Case was about a 19 year old Dalit girl who was gang raped by four men and later died in state of Uttar Pradesh. It raised several questions on caste system that is still practiced in India. Siddique along with three others were picked up by Uttar Pradesh police and was accused of being a part of Islamist fundamentalist group and to instigate violence among Muslim community around the region. Siddique belongs to the southern state of Kerala and was seen with his wife after walking free.

Charges against him were under draconian anti-terrorism laws and was said to have ‘deep links’ to the Popular Front of India which is a Muslim organization that is not banned then, but has been outlawed. However, independent journalist Sushant Rai has a complete different theory behind all of this. While talking to EAT news he shared what all difficulties a journalist has to go through and especially if you do not belong to any one organization. He said, ‘India ranks on World Press Freedom Index 150 among 180 countries which is a shameful achievement after being world’s largest democracy. Plus, when you question powerful people or higher authorities, they try to stop you however they can. This case was one of the examples.’ He further added, journalism is a toughest job because one has to question people, who are not supposed to be questioned in the eyes of administration. And so not having a support from a media organization adds on to the struggle.

According to a media report, statement given by Kerala Union of Working Journalists described that Siddique had been ‘beaten thrice and subjected to mental torture during custody’. Now how worse the situation can be for journalists depend on who all are involved in such cases. Sushant believes, these people are not scared of law. ‘Yes, physical violence is not an unusual thing in Indian jails. And there is no doubt, journalists who are kept under custody are tortured mentally and physically for their work. Also, corruption has hollowed the system of our country. Police follows their order in return of high amount of money and are not scared of judiciary. This is the reason why when such cases goes to court are commonly proved baseless and questions the police and administration. But till then, they do the damage to innocent people’s identity’, he said.

Siddique was arrested for two years without a trial whereas accused four men were given trial and the case is still not reached to any verdict. While hearing in court, Chief Justice Lalit asked Uttar Pradesh, ‘Every person has a right to free expression. He may be trying to propagate an idea that there is something and the victim requires justice and so ‘let us be a common voice’  will that be a crime in the eyes of the law?’, according to The Hindu’s story. Further hearing included Chief Justice Mr. Sibal who said to the accused lawyer, ‘We are only looking at the question of bail here. The man has undergone almost two years in custody. Is there any immediate prospect of the investigation seeing a sort of culmination?’

‘With no credible proof, they have kept a man behind the bars for two years. The man who himself was cracking a story to reveal the truth. And the accused are still with no punishment served. This is the current situation of law and order in India and then we talk about progress and economy. Administration should stop supporting such criminal minded people and instead let journalists do their job freely to maintain transparency between citizens and law’, said Sushant.

Opposition criticized the Uttar Pradesh administration for being irresponsible. Shashi Tharoor, Member of the Parliament and Congress political party dived into the situation and said ‘It took the Supreme court to finally reaffirm‘ bail not jail ’amended UAPA is a menace to democracy, as I warned when opposing its introduction in Lok Sabha’. Journalist Sushant told EAT news, Indian political leaders always consider politics as their priority and not public issues. ‘Opposition is always ready to jump in such controversial cases for the number game. So people who are involved in politics are not generally the trustworthy ones. They never really consider public issues as one of the significant subjects to look in instead being powerful is the only end game for them’, he said.

Current administration has been blamed domestically and globally for violating the right of freedom of speech and expression. It is been said that BJP wants Hindu religion dominated nation and are spreading hatred among communities. According to Sushant, ‘They (BJP) have disturbed communal harmony in our country in the name of nationalism. I am happy that judicial system in India is still not corrupted and is working fairly’. It is sad to watch that administration has ruined two years of a talented journalist, where he could have disclosed untold truths.