50 days later, verification of bail sureties still pending in Siddique Kappan’s UAPA case

In Uttar Pradesh, the process to verify journalist Siddique Kappan’s bail sureties has still not been completed, the journalist’s lawyer told the Hindu. Fifty days have passed since the bail sureties were provided.

Lawyer Mohamed Dhanish said it “shouldn’t take more than a week for verification in any state” and called it an “indefinite delay”.

“We are not blaming anyone but the fact is, gross injustice is being done to Siddique Kappan even after the order from the honourable Supreme Court,” he said. “Lingering these verifications will result in paralysing the process of bail conditions to fulfil.”

Kappan had been granted bail on September 9, 700 days after he had been arrested while on his way to Hathras for a reporting assignment. He was booked under the UAPA and charged with sedition, with the UP government believing he is part of a larger conspiracy to “foment religious discord and spread terror in the country”.

When he finally got bail, it had been reported that his lawyers were struggling to find individuals to stand as sureties. Dhanish had said at the time, “Given the sensitive nature of the case...maybe people are hesitant in putting their name forward and helping Kappan.”

Former vice-chancellor of Lucknow University, Roop Rekha Verma, eventually stood surety for Kappan. She told Newslaundry, “In today's dark times, this much help is what every citizen has a claim to. I wouldn't have been able to face myself if I didn’t extend this small help.” Watch her interview here.

Also, it should be remembered that Kappan still remains in jail under a money laundering case. On October 31, a Lucknow sessions court had rejected his bail plea in the case. Read about the case here.