The Supreme Court directed Tamil Nadu government to not shift YouTuber Manish Kashyap from Madurai Central Prison on Friday. Manish Kashyap was arrested for allegedly circulating fake videos of migrant labourers being attacked in Tamil Nadu.
On Friday, a plea moved by Kashyap challenging his detention under National Security Act came up for hearing before a bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha. After the hearing, the bench issued a notice to Tamil Nadu and Bihar governments.
"Apart from the relief sought under Article 32, the petitioner seeks to challenge the detention order under National Security Act (NSA). The petitioner is allowed to amend the plea. Issue notice on amended prayers. We direct that the petitioner be not moved from the Central Prison Madurai," the bench said.
The Court then posted the matter for hearing on April 28.
Expressing his surprise, CJI Chandrachud said, "NSA against him? Why this vengeance against this man?"
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tamil Nadu, said Kashyap made fake videos claiming that migrant labourers from Bihar were getting attacked in Tamil Nadu.
"He has got 60 lakh followers. He is a politician. He has contested elections. He is not a journalist," Sibal said while opposing the transfer of cases to Bihar. Sibal also said that the FIRs in Tamil Nadu were registered over the interviews he made in the southern state.
On April 11, the Apex court issued notice to the Centre, Tamil Nadu and Bihar government on Kashyap's plea seeking to club of the FIRs lodged against him.
On April 5, Kashyap who appeared before Madurai district court was remanded in judicial custody for 15 days and was sent to the Madurai central prison.
(With PTI inputs)