WEB DESK – Asif Sultan, an award-winning journalist from Indian-administered Kashmir, returned home after spending over five years in prison. Authorities arrested Sultan in August 2018 on charges of “harbouring known militants” and released him on Wednesday following a court order.
Charges and Legal Battle
Authorities also charged Sultan under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for allegedly participating in a jail riot. Although briefly bailed in February, authorities rearrested him two days later on new charges under the same act. This week, a relative and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) confirmed his release.
Strict Bail Conditions
“He returned home today, but the bail conditions are very harsh. He is virtually banned from talking to anyone outside the family,” a relative told AFP, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal. Kunal Majumder of CPJ announced on social media platform X that authorities bailed Sultan on Tuesday.
Court documents reviewed by AFP, dated Friday, showed that Sultan’s continued detention “did not serve any purpose.” The court granted his release on strict conditions, prohibiting him from traveling outside Kashmir, using encrypted communication apps like WhatsApp, and allowing others to use his phone.
Challenges for Journalists in Kashmir
Sultan’s case highlights the severe challenges journalists face in the region. Over half a million Indian soldiers are stationed in Kashmir, dealing with a prolonged freedom movement by groups seeking independence or a merger with Pakistan. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, mostly among civilians.
Regional Tensions and Media Suppression
India accuses Pakistan of supporting the insurgents, a claim Islamabad denies. Since the Indian government revoked the region’s limited autonomy and imposed a security clampdown in 2019, independent media has suffered significantly. Authorities have arrested journalists under anti-terrorism laws, frequently summoned them for police interrogations, and shut down the independent Kashmir Press Club.
Related Incident
In a related incident, a court granted bail last November to a prominent local Kashmiri correspondent for the US-based Christian Science Monitor, two years after charging him with “glorifying terrorism” and “spreading fake news” in the disputed territory.
