Supreme Court adjourns hearing on jailed journalist's passport plea

The Supreme Court of India deferred a crucial hearing on the petition filed by imprisoned Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan, who has sought the release of his passport while in judicial custody.

The court scheduled the next hearing for November 2, deferring from an earlier date. Kappan, a reporter with the Malayalam news website Azhimukham, has been in detention since his arrest in October 2021.

The journalist was arrested at a toll plaza in Uttar Pradesh while traveling to cover communal violence in Lakhimpur Kheri. He was initially booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and other charges, which authorities claimed related to his alleged links to underground organizations.

Kappan's legal team has argued that detaining his travel documents violates his fundamental rights and that he should be allowed to retain his passport during the pendency of legal proceedings. The petition raises questions about the scope of restrictions imposed on individuals in custody and the necessity of confiscating such documents.

The case has drawn attention from press freedom advocates and international media organizations, who have raised concerns about the treatment of journalists in India. The November 2 hearing will be closely watched by civil liberties groups monitoring judicial responses to cases involving media professionals.