Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair gets relief as SC orders no further action in UP FIRs

In a big relief for Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair, the Supreme Court on Monday protected him from any precipitative action in relation to any of the five FIRs filed against him in Uttar Pradesh. The top court pronounced the order while hearing Mohammed Zubair’s plea seeking to quash all FIRs lodged against him in UP for hurting religious sentiments.

The SC fixed the date for hearing Zubair's case in detail on July 20. In a big relief to Mohammed Zubair, the apex court expressed concerns over the slew of FIRs registered against him and said that filing of back-to-back FIRs against Zubair is troublesome. The court also issued a notice on Mohd Zubair's plea and directed the apex court registry to list it on July 20.

Calling it a ‘vicious cycle’, a bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice AS Bopanna



orally observed that, what seems to be happening is, that new FIRs are being filed or Zubair is being produced in FIRs, the moment he is getting bail.

The bench orally observed that it would like to examine the FIRs themselves.

The order was passed by the bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S Bopanna after the matter was taken up for hearing upon being mentioned by advocate Vrinda Grover, who represented Zubair.

The SC said, "Mohammed Zubair was granted bail in connection with the FIR filed against him in Sitapur and later also got relief in Delhi. During the same time, another FIR was registered against him.

“In the meantime, we direct that no precipitative steps shall be taken against the petitioner in connection with these five FIRs.,” the bench said.