Siddique Kappan
– Photo: Amar Ujala
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Siddique Kappan, an alleged journalist from Kerala who was lodged in a Lucknow jail on charges of having PFI links, was on Thursday released after 28 months. As soon as he came out of jail, Kappan said that he had gone to report in Hathras. He only had two pens and a notebook. Despite this, the police arrested him along with the taxi driver.
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan who was booked by the UP government under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) was released from jail after he was granted bail. pic.twitter.com/iW02VwqprG
— ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2023
Kappan alleges that the verification of the sureties was delayed to keep him in jail even after the bail was granted. Don’t know why the police want to keep him in jail. He said that I don’t know what is the benefit of my being in jail. But, justice prevailed.
Describing himself as innocent, Kappan said that no money came into his account. Police and ED have filed fake cases against him including money laundering. So he will fight till his last breath to prove his innocence. On the other hand, his wife Rihana and son Mohammad Muzammil, who were present outside the jail, became emotional after seeing him. Both started crying hugging Kappan.
Kappan has also accused the jail administration of threatening him during his release. He alleged that he was told that if he spoke anything outside, he would be sent to jail. However, the jail administration has denied Kappan’s allegation.
I have nothing to do with PFI
Kappan said that he has no connection with PFI. There has not been any big transaction from his account, nor has money come into his account from anywhere. In the Hathras case, like other journalists, he also went for coverage. He said that his mobile had mobile numbers of leaders of various parties including Congress, BJP.