Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan released after 2 years of imprisonment

Kerala-based journalist Siddique Kappan, who was arrested in Uttar Pradesh on terrorism charges, has left Lucknow jail after two years.

Kappan was arrested while on his way to Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, where a Dalit woman died after she was allegedly raped. He and three others were accused of being associated with the now-banned Popular Front of India and participating in a conspiracy to incite violence.

"I went there [Hathras] to report, reporting has become a crime 28 months have passed, I still haven't got justice. But after 28 months of struggle, I am finally out. I am happy," Kappan mentioned in a report after his release from jail.

In September, the Supreme Court granted him bail in connection with the case. However, he continued to be in Lucknow jail in a money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate.

Kappan was initially charged with sedition and charged under the UAPA Anti-Terrorism Act. Later in February 2022, the ED filed a money laundering case against him, accusing him of accepting money from a banned PFI.

The Allahabad High Court on December 23 granted bail to Siddique Kappan in a money laundering case. The sureties required for Kappan's bail were produced in court on Wednesday and he was released today.