The journalist was arrested after a post on Twitter
The Supreme Court has enquired of the UP government why was journalist, Prashant Kanojia, arrested for the petty reason of posting on Twitter and Facebook about UP CM Yogi Adityanath.
Is India slowly moving towards an undemocratic democracy?
Prashant’s lawyer requested the court for an urgent hearing as the arrest was ‘unconstitutional’ and ‘illegal’.
The journalist was arrested by the UP Police on Saturday as he “objectionable comments against the CM and tried to malign his image”.
Meanwhile, the UP government has denied bail to Prashant Kanojia claiming that the high court should have been approached first.
The Supreme Court condemned the UP government and said, “Have you ever come across remand for 11 days in such a case? Sit behind the bars day after day and challenge the order? That is not a very fair stand.”
The Court was clear that it did not support Prashant Kanojia’s post. But they did not in any way entitle him to jail. Furthermore, the court said,
“We find that the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India and particularly under Articles 19 and 21 are non-negotiable.”
