New Delhi, Dec 2 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned until next week hearing in the petition filed for the release of Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan, who was arrested along with three others in Mathura in October 5, while on his way to cover the Hathras gangrape and murder case.

The bench headed by Chief Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde also comprised Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, was hearing the habeas corpus petition filed by the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) challenging Kappan’s detention.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of Uttar Pradesh government, argued that the petition in Kappan's case was not filed by him, but by the Journalist union. He also said the probe into Kappan has revealed "shocking" details.

Countering this argument, senior counsel Kapil Sibal, appearing for KUWJ submitted that he would implead Kappan’s wife in the petition and would like to argue the matter in the court.

While Sibal referred the case of journalist Arnab Goswami, who was granted interim bail by the top court in an alleged abetment to suicide case, the bench replied that "every case is different", adding, "You show us any precedent where an association had moved the court seeking relief."

Sibal also argued that the case involves question of liberty opposing the prayer for adjournment. However, rejecting his request the top court adjourned the matter for next week.



UNI JW JAL 1945