Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of Alt News, is at the top of Google Search trends today because…
Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of fact-checking platform Alt News, became a trending topic on Google on Thursday after Ghaziabad Police revealed additional charges against him. These include allegations of “endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India” as well as violating the Information Technology (IT) Act. The FIR, initially registered on October 8, has now become legally complicated.
Google Trends shows a spike in interest
According to Google Trends, interest in Mohammed Zubair has increased significantly, with over 1000 searches recorded—a 200% increase. As of the morning of November 28, Mohammed Zubair was among the second most popular keywords searched on Google Search. The spike coincided with the hearing in the Allahabad High Court where Zubair had petitioned for quashing of the FIR.
The incident stemmed from Zubair sharing a video clip of controversial remarks by Yati Narsinghanand, a Hindutva leader known for his inflammatory speeches.
New sections added to the FIR
During the hearing, Zubair’s lawyer Vrinda Grover emphasized the addition of serious charges to the FIR. She stated:
“On Monday, Uttar Pradesh Police had mentioned plans to add new sections to the FIR but was directed by the court to formalize it. On Thursday morning, they filed an affidavit confirming the inclusion of Section 152 and Section 66 of the IT Act.”
The inclusion of Section 152, which deals with acts endangering the sovereignty and unity of India, has significantly increased the seriousness of the incident.
Grover expressed concern about the legal implications of the additional fees:
“Previously, the listed crimes had sentences of less than 7 years and were not mandatory. However, the introduction of Section 152 has serious consequences, potentially endangering personal liberty. We are optimistic that the court will carefully consider these concerns.”
The legal battle is ongoing
Zubair is frequently in the spotlight for his work with Alt News, which focuses on debunking misinformation. This latest development adds another layer to the ongoing legal challenges he faces.
The Allahabad High Court’s decision in this matter is highly anticipated, as it could set a precedent for similar cases related to online content and freedom of expression in India.
The charges against Mohammed Zubair raise important legal and constitutional questions, including the balance between national security concerns and personal freedoms. With public interest peaking and legal risks rising, the outcome of this case is being closely watched.
