Twitter user in Mohammed Zubair case tracked down in Dwarka

The identity of the Twitter user whose post led to a case against the fact-checker and Alt News founder Mohammad Zubair has been tracked down in Delhi’s Dwarka area. The 36-year-old real estate businessman originally belongs to Ajmer, Rajasthan, as per media reports.

What police say?

According to Indian Express, police tracked down the user approximately a week after Zubair’s arrest in June. He was traced via his IP address and has recorded his statement before the police. A senior official of the Delhi Police’s Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) told HT that the Twitter user’s statement was recorded on June 30 or July 1. “This is part of our investigation process. He will be contacted again during trial,” the official said. The IFSO handles cyber crimes and social media-related matters. “He came to IFSO’s office in Dwarka and told the police that his religious sentiments were hurt after he saw the tweet,” The Indian Express reported a source as saying, adding that he did not seem to be affiliated to any political party.

Police seek Twitter India’s help

According to an Indian Express report, Twitter India provided some classified details in the case after a notice under Section 91 of CrPC was sent to it on June 29. “We asked them to provide IP log details of the Twitter handle @balajikijaiin, registration details of the account, mobile number, connected email ID, and device used by the user,” police said. The account has been suspended and further investigation is on. In June, the Twitter user tagged the Delhi Police and urged them to take action against Zubair for a tweet he had posted four years ago. Notably Zubair’s lawyer Vrinda Grover had argued in the court that the Twitter handle that had led to his arrest was anonymous and had been created to “create mischief.” She also called for a police probe into who was behind the handle. Subsequently, a notice was sent to Twitter India on 29 June, in which the police informed the social media platform regarding the case.

Mohammad Zubair out on interim bail

The Supreme Court granted Mohammad Zubair an interim bail on July 20 and emphasized that there was no rationale for keeping him in custody. His counsel had argued that the Twitter user in question was unknown and set up to cause trouble. – INDIA NEWS STREAM