The Nagpur court extended the police custody of Kerala journalist Rejaz M Sydeek till 15 May as police probe alleged anti-national posts and digital content linked to banned organisations
Published May 13, 2025 | 9:33 PM ⚊ Updated May 13, 2025 | 9:33 PM
Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek.
Synopsis: The First Class Judicial Magistrate Court-III in Nagpur on Tuesday extended the police custody of Kerala-based activist and journalist Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek till 15 May. Rejaz was arrested on 8 May over alleged anti-national social media posts critical of military operations like Operation Sindoor and Operation Kagaar. Police are probing his digital data for suspected links to banned organisations
The First Class Judicial Magistrate Court-III in Nagpur on Tuesday extended the police custody of Kerala-based activist and independent journalist Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek by two more days, till 15 May.
The extension comes as Maharashtra Police continues its investigation into alleged anti-national activities linked to Sydeek’s social media posts and digital materials.
Rejaz, 26, was arrested on 8 May by Nagpur’s Lakadganj Police while travelling from Delhi to Kerala. The arrest followed a series of social media posts critical of recent military operations, including Operation Sindoor in Kashmir and Operation Kagaar in Chhattisgarh.
Authorities claim the posts contained content glorifying banned groups and inciting anti-Army sentiments. The custody extension was granted by Magistrate Nilesh B Patil after police submitted that further interrogation was needed based on digital evidence seized from Rejaz’s residence in Kerala.
The search, conducted jointly by Maharashtra Police and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), led to the seizure of multiple electronic devices including mobile phones, hard disks, memory cards, and pen drives.
Police told the court that preliminary analysis of the seized data revealed banned digital literature and alleged links to a proscribed organisation.
They further cited the need for Rejaz’s physical presence during technical analysis and witness confrontations. The prosecution also highlighted a photo allegedly found on his phone showing him posing with two guns—though the authenticity of the weapons remains under investigation.
Rejaz’s counsel, Advocate Nihalsing Rathod, opposed the extension, arguing that the accused had not been present during the seizure and that further custodial interrogation was unnecessary.
The court, however, ruled in favour of the prosecution, stating that the nature of the alleged offences warranted extended custody.
Rejaz refused to sign the remand application but reported no ill-treatment in custody. The court also acknowledged a plea by Rejaz seeking English translations of documents presented to him during questioning.
In its remand note, the police claimed Rejaz had attended a press conference in Delhi on World Press Freedom Day organised by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), which authorities allege to be a front for banned Maoist outfits.
He is also accused of wearing a T-shirt featuring seditious slogans and figures on a watchlist of Maoist sympathisers compiled by the Maharashtra State Intelligence Bureau.
The FIR includes charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 149, 192, 353(1)(b), 353(2), and 353(3), as well as Section 67 of the IT Act, 2000.
Following his arrest, the Democratic Students Association (DSA), with which Rejaz is affiliated, condemned the action as a politically motivated crackdown on dissent.
They demanded his immediate release, alleging that the arrest was linked to his criticism of military policies and calls for an “Israel Model Solution” in Kashmir following recent attacks.
Rejaz remains in police custody while the investigation continues.
(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
