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SC orders release on bail of journalist arrested in U.P.
Why in news?
- SC have ordered the immediate release of journalist Prashant Kanojia on bail, saying it had no intention to sit back and watch a citizen deprived of his personal liberty for his social media posts.
More in news
- Infringement of liberty:(1) Liberty guaranteed under fundamental rights is sacrosanct.(2) The court called the action taken by the Uttar Pradesh government a glaring case of deprivation of liberty, in which a citizen had been sent to custody for 13-14 days.
- What concerns were expressed by ASG in UP?(1) Additional Solicitor-General (ASG) said that Kanojia’s release would be construed by the public as an endorsement of his social media posts.(2) But the court had replied it will be treated as an endorsement of his right to personal liberty.
- SC’s clarification for bail:
- Court had said that “we are not appreciative of the manner of his tweets, but we are bothered about his arrest and incarceration.”
- Stand taken by the highest court to protect personal liberty.
- Argument against the bail:(1) ASG countered that free speech is not “absolute” and another’s right cannot be trampled upon. “With great liberty comes great responsibility".(2) This order of release should not be seen as a endorsement of his tweets.(3) To this SC said free speech and criticism on social media cannot be choked by incarceration.
Source
The hindu