Journalist Siddique Kappan and three others were arrested by Uttar Pradesh police while on their way to Hathras, where they intended to cover the aftermath of a rape case involving a Dalit woman. The police charged them with sedition, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and other serious offenses. The authorities claimed that the group was planning to incite unrest, citing the pamphlets they were carrying with messages like "Justice for Hathras Victim."
The police also accused them of being involved in a larger conspiracy to create an internet platform and raise funds to trigger caste riots. They alleged that the website "justiceforhathras" and the fundraising platform carrd.co were used to collect foreign donations aimed at provoking violence. The group was also linked to the Popular Front of India (PFI), which the police said was behind the alleged conspiracy, a claim the PFI denied.
The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, warned against attempts to politicize the Hathras incident, promising strong action against those trying to create caste and communal tensions. The investigation is ongoing, with a focus on the funds raised and their use.