A duty magistrate in Lahore on Sunday granted bail to Din News TV host Rizwanur Rehman Razi 'Dada', who was arrested a day earlier for allegedly uploading "defamatory and obnoxious" posts against the judiciary, government institutions and intelligence agencies on his Twitter account.
The magistrate ordered his release on bail against a surety bond of Rs100,000.
The Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) cybercrime cell had on Saturday arrested Razi from his residence in Jauhar Town, confiscated his mobile phone and booked him under Sections 11 and 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016, and 123-A and 500 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The agency presented the TV host before a judicial magistrate today seeking his physical remand — in order to interrogate him — a request that was rejected by the court.
During the hearing, Razi's lawyer said there was no reason to grant the FIA physical remand of his client as the constitution allows for the expression of opinions. He said the journalist had expressed his personal opinion which could not be called a crime.
The counsel maintained that the case in which Razi had been arrested had no complainant. Dawn had reported on Sunday that the state through the FIA cybercrime cell of Lahore is the complainant in the case.
"Can positive criticism be called a crime?" the lawyer asked, adding that his client was a teacher and a journalist and yet he was presented in court in handcuffs.
While rejecting the FIA's request for remand, the judge ordered Razi to avoid making comments about the judiciary. He said that this was a "test case" for the journalist and that the "system" should be carried forward.
In the First Information Report (FIR), the agency had stated that the TV host "admitted" to uploading content against the judiciary and other departments, and was "very embarrassed" and had even apologised.
Razi, as per the FIR, promised that he would "not upload such derogatory/humiliating posts" against state institutions such as the judiciary, Pakistan armed forces and intelligence agencies.
The FIA said that Razi's mobile phone was confiscated during the inquiry and a forensic data extraction report was obtained.
Furthermore, the agency said it has "accorded permission to register a case" against Razi.
The FIR against Razi mentioned Sections 11 and 20 of the Peca 2016 — a cyber-crime law which had been widely criticised by civil rights campaigners as 'draconian' at the time of its passage by the Nawaz Sharif-led PML-N government.
Section 11 pertains to hate speech and can carry a prison sentence of up to seven years, as well as a fine.
Section 20, meanwhile, pertains to "offences against the dignity of a natural person" and carries "imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years" or a fine which may extend to Rs1 million.
The FIR also lists Section 500 of the PPC, which pertains to defamation and carries "an imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years" or a fine, or both.
Razi's Twitter account had become inaccessible following his arrest.
Comments (17) Closed
Set up an example
Freedom of speech is the cornerstone of every democracy. If a citizen can not criticize his government without fear of incarceration, what you have is a dictatorship... Grant bail! Stay the case...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
Check the envelope to see where it came from and how much it contained.
People including journalists should refrain from criticizing the military and the judiciary as is done in western democratic countries. People should also expect to be put in handcuffs when they are being arrested, this is done in all democratic countries irrespective of ones profession or social status as law is equal for everybody. Don't expect to be garlanded with flowers when cops come to arrive to make an arrest.
He doesn't deserve bail, keep him there.
Razi, a hatemonger should not be granted bail until he learns the difference between hate propaganda and freedom of speech!
Well Done we need to expose these so called journalists who have an agenda against the two institutes that are trying to function against the corrupt....
It's a shame journalist are being arrested like this.
Shame on people who gave him bail while Shaid Masood didn’t get bail for long time. He didn’t commit any crime. Someone got bribe for giving this Dada person bail.
Fake democracy at work.
Why give him bail so quick. Bribe???
@Ujla sitara, It’s a shame journalist like Sanjiv Bhat are missing for months in “democratic” India
By imposing section 20 and 11 of PECA 2016, it clear that citizens have no right to rise the voice against corrupt institutions.
You either live in a democracy or you do not! Stop the pretence. Stay the prosecution... Celebrate the right to criticize the government...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
@BhaRAT, Sanjiv Bhatt ,journalist, ? What a general knowledge.
Nothing but ‘slip of tongue’ he may please be pardoned.
@Citizen, what a corrupt mind you have. in the entire case you could see envelops and its contents only.