Fact-Checker Mohammed Zubair Faces Legal Challenges Amidst Claims of Targeted Persecution

Mohammed Zubair, a prominent Indian fact-checker and co-founder of AltNews, finds himself back in court as police accuse him of "endangering sovereignty" through his posts against hate speech. The charges have raised alarm over press freedom and suggest potential state-sponsored targeting of journalists challenging official narratives.

More than two years after being granted bail and ordered "immediate release" from prison, Mohammed Zubair, a leading figure in Indian fact-checking journalism and co-founder of AltNews, is back in the legal spotlight. On Tuesday, the Allahabad High Court is set to hear Zubair’s petition as police in Uttar Pradesh seek to arrest him, claiming he has "endangered the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India." The newly pressed charges are non-bailable and could lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment for a minimum of seven years or even life behind bars.

Zubair vehemently denies the accusations against him, stating: "I feel I’m being targeted because of the work I do." Notably, he has been described as a significant opponent to hate crimes in India, and his latest legal troubles stem from a post he shared on X (formerly Twitter) that highlighted hate speech by a controversial Hindu priest, Yati Narsinghanand. Zubair's October 3 post included a video showcasing Narsinghanand making inflammatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad.

The priest, who heads the influential Dasna Devi temple, has a controversial history of inciting violence against Muslims; he was previously arrested for making Islamophobic comments in 2022. Following Zubair’s post, protests erupted outside the temple, resulting in police arrests. In dramatic fashion, the priest's supporters later surrounded a local police station demanding action against Zubair. The police subsequently filed charges against Zubair, initially less severe, but later escalated to accusations of endangering national integrity.

Legal experts suggest that these accusations provide grounds for police to arrest Zubair. His attorney has requested interim bail, arguing that the case lacks merit. Zubair maintains that he is not alone in highlighting the priest's remarks; many others, including journalists and political figures, shared the same video.

Colleagues and rights organizations have expressed growing concerns that Zubair's targeting underscores a broader trend of government suppression of dissenting voices. Pratik Sinha, Zubair’s co-founder at AltNews, characterized the situation as a classic case of "shooting the messenger." Statements from various rights groups including Amnesty International have denounced the police's actions as a misuse of power designed to stifle freedom of expression.

The escalation of charges against Zubair prompted condemnation from several media organizations and rights advocates, who argue that such actions reflect a chilling effect on journalistic freedoms in India. The Press Club of India has called for the withdrawal of charges, denouncing such legal actions as detrimental to free thought and critical journalism.

Zubair has faced legal scrutiny before; he was arrested in 2022 over a separate issue involving a politically charged tweet about Hindu sentiments. Critics have noted that both situations may reflect a broader pattern of hostility towards journalists who expose uncomfortable truths about the government and its supporters. India’s declining position in international press freedom rankings adds to the concerns surrounding this high-profile case, highlighting the risks faced by journalists in the country.