Updated On: 28 August, 2023 02:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
In Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, an FIR was filed against Mohammed Zubair, the co-founder of Alt News, for allegedly revealing the identity of a seven-year-old Muslim boy who was slapped by his classmates under the instruction of their teacher

Mohammad Zubair/Socials
In Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, an FIR was filed against Mohammed Zubair, the co-founder of Alt News, for allegedly revealing the identity of a seven-year-old Muslim boy who was slapped by his classmates under the instruction of their teacher. Zubair is charged under Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, based on a report submitted by Vishnudutt. This law imposes penalties for disclosing the identity of a child who is either a victim or a witness to a crime. The possible consequences for those found guilty include a maximum of six months in prison or a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh.
The FIR claims that Zubair shared a video of the incident on social media, thereby exposing the boy`s identity. In response, Zubair told Scroll that he felt singled out and highlighted that he had taken down the video after the head of the National Commission for Protection Of Child Rights, Priyank Kanoongo, requested that the video not be shared. Zubair also pointed out that although various individuals and media outlets shared the video, he was the only one named in the FIR. He noted the existence of other videos showing the boy`s identity, including one where the boy is seen hugging his classmates.