The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Nagpur revealed details about the arrest of Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek, a 26-year-old student activist and independent journalist from Kerala, under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Sydeek was apprehended on May 7 at a hotel in Nagpur’s Lakadganj area following surveillance of his online activities, which authorities allege included dark web involvement and support for terrorist organizations. This high-profile case has sparked debates about freedom of expression, the use of anti-terror laws, and the challenges of regulating online activities in India.
Sydeek’s arrest stemmed from his alleged posts on social media platforms, particularly Instagram, where he criticized India’s military operations, including Operation Sindoor, conducted against terror targets in Pakistan, and Operation Kagaar, an anti-Naxalite initiative. The First Information Report (FIR) filed at Lakadganj police station accused him of preparing to wage war against the government, inciting public mischief, criminal intimidation, and making statements conducive to public unrest. Specific posts included remarks such as “This is a child!!!! targeting kids is serving justice??? Indian Army murdabad!!!!” and phrases like “Defeat the diehard Hindutva fascist forces” and “Bury Hindutva,” which police claimed were seditious and supportive of banned organizations.
A raid on Sydeek’s residence in Edapally, Kerala, on May 11 led to the recovery of incriminating materials, including books on Marxism-Leninism, a book about former Delhi University professor G N Saibaba, who was previously tried for alleged Maoist links, and a letter from a Marxist journal advocating peace talks with the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). Authorities also seized digital devices, which a preliminary scan revealed were used to access the dark web, where Sydeek allegedly made inflammatory comments and shared provocative content, including images of himself with a firearm. The ATS has sent these devices for in-depth cyber-forensic analysis to uncover further evidence.
The case was initially handled by the Lakadganj police but was transferred to the Maharashtra ATS after sections 38 and 39 of the UAPA, which address membership in and support for terrorist organizations, were added to the charges. The ATS sought 10 days of police custody, but a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court granted only three days, criticizing the police for failing to produce seizure documents and the panchnama (witness statement) from the Kerala raid. The court’s rebuke highlighted procedural lapses, adding complexity to the investigation.
Sydeek, affiliated with the Democratic Students Association, was in Nagpur to meet a female friend, a law student from Bihar, who is now under scrutiny by the ATS. Authorities suspect she may share similar revolutionary views and have connections to others involved in similar activities, though she has cooperated with questioning and has not been charged. The investigation has expanded, with the Kerala ATS, Intelligence Bureau, and other state and central agencies joining the probe to explore Sydeek’s alleged links to banned groups, including claims of connections to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and a front organization of the CPI (Maoist).
The arrest has triggered significant backlash. The Rejaz Solidarity Forum held protests in Kochi, demanding Sydeek’s release and asserting that “journalism is not a crime.” Supporters argue that Sydeek, who wrote for outlets like Maktoob Media and The Observer Post, focused on issues like caste discrimination, communal violence, and the rights of marginalized communities. They claim his arrest is an attempt to suppress dissent and curtail press freedom, especially given his attendance at a Delhi press conference advocating for the release of incarcerated journalists.
This case underscores broader concerns about the application of the UAPA, a law criticized for its low conviction rate—29% in 2019, with 95% of cases still pending—and its use against activists, journalists, and students. Between 2018 and 2020, 4,690 people were arrested under UAPA, with over half under 30 years old, yet only 149 were convicted. Critics argue that the law’s stringent bail provisions and prolonged trials effectively punish the accused without proof, citing cases like that of G N Saibaba, who was acquitted after years in jail, and journalist Siddique Kappan, who faced similar charges.
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