Journalist Manish Kashyap Granted Bail, but Faces Financial Wrongdoing Charges, India

Renowned journalist Manish Kashyap has been granted bail by a Madurai court, lifting charges brought against him under the National Security Act (NSA). This comes seven months after the Tamil Nadu police filed the charges against him based on a fake migrant crisis video. While Kashyap can now be released, his freedom may be short-lived as he still faces potential legal consequences related to alleged financial wrongdoing. Currently confined at the Beur jail in Patna, Kashyap’s release will depend on the resolution of the three cases filed against him by the Economic Offence Unit (EOU) of the Bihar police for his alleged financial misconduct. Bail has not been granted to him in relation to these cases. In April of this year, Kashyap was arrested under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) by a special team of Tamil Nadu police who apprehended him in Bihar and subsequently brought him back to Tamil Nadu for questioning. The arrest was prompted by the circulation of videos that allegedly depicted attacks on migrant workers from Bihar in Tamil Nadu. Having appeared before the Madurai district court on Wednesday, Kashyap was remanded to judicial custody for 15 days. Madurai Superintendent of Police, Shiva Prasad, confirmed Kashyap’s detention under the NSA act, stating that he was responsible for disseminating fake videos portraying Bihari migrant laborers being assaulted in Tamil Nadu. While Kashyap has now gained temporary relief through bail granted by the Madurai court, his legal journey is far from over. The pending cases against him for financial misconduct will continue to be scrutinized, potentially leading to further legal consequences.