The judicial custody of journalist Siddique Kappan and three others, who were arrested while on their way to Hathras last year, has been extended by 90 days, PTI reported.

PTI quoted district government counsel Shiv Ram Singh as saying: "Additional district and sessions Judge (first) Anil Kumar Pandey has allowed the extension of judicial custody remand by another 90 days."

Kappan, Athikur Rehman, Alam and Masood have been accused of being "activists" belonging to the Popular Front of India. Rakesh Paliwal, a deputy superintendent of an Uttar Pradesh special task force, sought the extension of custody on grounds that, PTI reported, "most of the offices of the PFI and other allied organisations are based in Kerala and during the investigation there, some more information has surfaced" and, therefore, they needed the accused to be in custody for "verification" of information.

Kappan was arrested near Mathura on October 5 when he was on his way to Hathras to report on the gangrape and subsequent death of a Dalit woman. He was travelling with the other three accused when they were detained by the police. All four have been booked for sedition and under the draconian anti-terrorism law, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

The Kerala Union of Working Journalists has alleged that Kappan was "beaten" and "subjected to mental torture" while in custody, as well as "denied medication" for his diabetes.