By IANS,
Kolkata : The editor and the publisher of The Statesman, one of the oldest English dailies of the country, were arrested here Wednesday for allegedly hurting the religious belief of Muslims. The two were later granted interim bail.
Editor Ravindra Kumar and printer-cum-publisher Anand Sinha were taken into custody from their residence in the morning following a complaint by Mohammed Shahid at the Bowbazar police station.
“They were arrested for hurting the religious belief of a community. They were later granted interim bail,” city police commissioner Goutam Mohan Chakraborty told IANS.
Kumar and Sharma were granted the bail on a surety of Rs.5,000 after they were brought before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate S.S. Anand.
An article in the newspaper, which is published from Kolkata and New Delhi, titled “Why should I respect these oppressive religions” by veteran journalist Johann Hari, had led to demonstrations before its office by Muslim groups over the last few of days.
The article had first appeared in the London-based Independent.
Despite several efforts, The Statesman’s senior editors could not be contacted for a comment.