Zubair gets relief as SC orders no further action in UP FIRs, expresses worry over 'vicious cycle' of arrests

Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair got relief on Monday as the Supreme Court has ordered no further action against him in connection with the five FIRs registered against him in UP. The top court also expressed concerns over a slew of FIRs registered against him.

In a big relief for Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair, the Supreme Court on Monday protected him from any precipitative action in relation to any of the five FIRs filed against him in Uttar Pradesh. The top court pronounced the order while hearing Mohammed Zubair’s plea seeking to quash all FIRs lodged against him in UP for hurting religious sentiments.

The SC fixed the date for hearing Zubair's case in detail on July 20. In a big relief to Mohammed Zubair, the apex court expressed concerns over the slew of FIRs registered against him and said that filing of back-to-back FIRs against Zubair is troublesome. The court also issued a notice on Mohd Zubair's plea and directed the apex court registry to list it on July 20.

The order was passed by the bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S Bopanna after the matter was taken up for hearing upon being mentioned by advocate Vrinda Grover, who represented Zubair.

The SC said, "Mohammed Zubair was granted bail in connection with the FIR filed against him in Sitapur and later also got relief in Delhi. During the same time, another FIR was registered against him.

“In the meantime, we direct that no precipitative steps shall be taken against the petitioner in connection with these five FIRs.,” the bench said.

ALSO READ| SC begins hearing Mohammed Zubair’s plea for quashing of all FIRs in UP

Earlier, Mohammed Zubair's lawyer had said, "“There is a slew of FIRs against him. As soon as he gets bail in one case, he is arrested in another. As we speak, he is arrested again.”