No criminality found against Alt News co-founder Mohd Zubair in 2020 tweet case: Delhi Police tells HC

Zubair was booked by Delhi Police’s Cyber Cell under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act following a complaint from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) for allegedly “threatening and torturing a girl child through Twitter”.

Zubair had approached the High Court seeking quashing of the FIR and action against NCPCR chief Priyank Kanoongo, who filed the complaint, and a Twitter user to whom Zubair had responded on the social media platform.

On August 6, 2020, Zubair had shared an image of a minor girl, with her face blurred out while having a verbal spat with her relative on Twitter, against whom Zubair had sought action. The NCPCR’s complaint referred to this tweet.

In May 2022, Delhi Police in its status report to the court had submitted that the tweet made by Zubair does not constitute a cognizable offence.

Opposing this, NCPCR had alleged that the Delhi Police’s stand is “incorrect and indicates the casual attitude of police” in this case as retweeting the girl’s image “initiated the indecent and obnoxious” comments against her and led to her identity disclosure jeopardising her safety and security. 

After Thursday’s submission by Delhi Police, the HC said “Before proceeding further, let the chargesheet be placed on record”, reported Indian Express.

Appearing for NCPCR, additional solicitor general KM Nataraj submitted that he will take further instructions in the matter, the report said.

The court also asked Zubair’s counsel to take instructions from Zubair if he wishes to go on with the case. The matter is next listed on March 2.