SC grants bail to Kerala journo Siddique Kappan in Hathras conspiracy case

Observing that every person has a right to free expression, the Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan, who is in jail for almost two years after he was arrested while proceeding to Hathras in Uttar Pradesh where a Dalit woman was allegedly gang-raped and later died.

"Till now you have not shown anything provocative," a bench headed by Chief Justice UU Lalit and also comprising Justices S Ravindra Bhat and P S Narasimha told the UP government.

The court also took note of the submissions of the UP government and laid down several conditions for bail, including that he will have to remain in Delhi for the next six weeks after release from a prison in Mathura and report to Nizamuddin police station in Delhi on Monday every week.

Kappan's wife Reaiheanath said she is very happy to hear the news of him getting bail and thanked everyone who supported the family.

"For the past two years, we have been physically, mentally and economically affected. But, n