Siddique Kappan Has Deep Links With Terror Funding Organizations Like PFI:UP Govt Tells Supreme Court

These organizations have allegedly been found to have connections with Al Qaeda linked organizations like IHH in Turkey.

In its counter affidavit opposing grant of bail to Kappan, the government said that Kappan's pleadings before the Courts below are riddled with falsehoods, contradictions and suppression of facts.

Whereas he had denied any connections with PFI, it is alleged that at least from the year 2009 onwards, Kappan was Reporter for "Gulf Thejas Daily", Jeddah, which is said to be a Malayalam language mouthpiece of the extremist organization PFI, which aimed to create religious discord in India.

Even when he was arrested, 4 IDs were seized from him, 2 of which were of Thejas Daily, it is claimed.

Thus, it is alleged that Kappan was actually part of the PFI/CFI delegation to meet the family of the Hathras victim and foment discord and spread terror.

"Investigation has revealed that the said delegation was sent to Hathras on the directions of co-accused Rauf Sharif (National General Secretary, CFI, prime fund raiser and financial transaction handler for PFI/CFI), who had also provided finances for the trip."

It is further alleged that 3 sets of a 17-page pamphlet were recovered from Kappan's car which are said to be a "Rioting 101" for rioters, teaching them how to conceal themselves from the police, which "riots" to attend, to "recognize the place you are rioting in", etc.

"Even though chargesheet has been filed, the investigation into the entire terrorist cell is still ongoing"

The counter affidavit further states that Kappan has conveniently brushed over the fact that when he was arrested, he was travelling with persons who were named accused in previous riots.

For instance, it is claimed that Atik–ur–Rahman is the National treasurer of CFI, accused in relation to Muzaffarnagar riots; Masood Ahmad is the former General Secretary of Delhi chapter of CFI, accused in relation to Behraich riots.

"If the Petitioner was in fact a "journalist" exercising his professional duties as claimed, why would he be traveling with known riot accused persons."

Kappan has not even been able to explain the cash deposits totalling to Rs. 45000/- in the months of September and October 2020, just prior to the Petitioner's trip to Hathras, government said.

It is averred that the accused in the instant case are well aware of how to make use of legal loopholes to frustrate the criminal process. Co-accused Danish, who had managed to obtain a "Stay of arrest" Order from the High Court, has not been appearing in court and NBWs have been issued against him.

And even though another co-accused, driver Alam, was granted bail, the High Court had specifically distinguished Kappan's case, observing that "incriminating material" was recovered from his possession.

Lastly, it is averred that Kappan's release would bring harm to the witnesses who have been subject to serious threats and trolling.

"One such witness, VV Binu, a journalist, resident of Bihar, who had provided certain information against 18 the Petitioner to the police, has been the victim of vicious trolling online, including but not limited to death threats. In fact, VV Binu was in such fear for his life that he had emailed his statement to the STF, instead of providing the same in person."