Lucknow, December 14, 2022 (PPI-OT):A court in Meerut city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has ordered externment of journalist Zakir Ali Tiyagi from the district for three months citing a cow slaughter case filed against him in 2020. Talking to media, Zakir said he is being targeted due to his journalistic work and the police have not presented any evidence against him. He said he will challenge the order in the higher court. He works for The Millat Times and also writes for The NewsClick. In August 2020, Zakir was arrested and released the next month.
Judge Amit Kumar said the punitive action was initiated against Zakir under the Goonda Act on the recommendation of the Meerut Police. The court rejected Zakir’s defense that he does not reside in the village and seldom visits it saying that the accused has not provided any proof supporting his claim.
Zakir told the media that the court adjudicated only on the basis of police allegations. Neither the court nor police have cited any evidence, he said. “There is no evidence and testimonies to substantiate what the police said about me in their report,” he said. “The order was passed without hearing me and showing any evidence. That’s why I will challenge it in the higher court,” he added.
For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org