Source: The Sangai Express / PTI
Kolkata, February 11 2009:
The Editor and Publisher of English daily 'The Statesman' were today arrested on the charge of insulting the religious belief of a community, following street protests against an article published in the newspaper.
Ravindra Kumar, Editor of The Statesman, and Anand Sinha, its Printer and Publisher, were arrested from their residence this morning "on a specific complaint", Joint CP (Administration) Pradip Chatterjee said.
The complaint was made by one Mohd Shahid at the Bowbazar police station.
The complaint was made under sections 295A (maliciously insulting the religions or the religious belief of any class) and 34 (common intention) of IPC.
Kumar and Sharma were produced before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate S S Anand by the police and were granted interim bail on a surety of Rs 5000.
The matter would come up for hearing again on February 25, the judge said in his order.
The article by Johann Hari titled "Why should I respect these oppressive religions?" was originally published in 'The Independent' and was reproduced in The Statesman here on February 5 .
Some Muslims have been demonstrating since February 6 before The Statesman office here against the article, in which there was some reference to Prophet Mohammed.