A Nagpur trial court on Monday extended the police custody of Rejaz M Sydeek till May 15 and directed investigating officers to provide English-language transcripts of the documents included in the remand papers signed by him.
Sydeek, a pro-Palestine leftist activist and independent journalist, was arrested in Nagpur on May 7 under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 149 (preparing to wage war against the Government of India), Section 192 (provocation with intent to cause a riot), Section 351 (criminal intimidation), and Section 353 (statements conducive to public mischief), based on information provided by a confidential informant.
On Sunday, the Nagpur Police, assisted by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad and the Kerala Police, conducted a late-night search at Sydeek’s residence in Elamakkara, Ernakulam. An officer from the Elamakkara police station confirmed the operation.
Rejaz’s family, who were not at home during the search, learned of the raid through neighbours. “At least three police vehicles and some media personnel were seen in the area,” a family member said. Upon receiving a call from Nagpur police, the family rushed home and found two officers outside.
“After sunset, many media personnel arrived with cameras. They told us they were informed about the raid by the local police,” Rejaz’s brother said.
The search began around 7:30 p.m. and continued for nearly three hours, concluding at 10:30 p.m. The police provided the family with a seizure list that included mobile phones, pen drives, and two books.
“Most of the phones were damaged or old, including unused keypad mobiles and smartphones,” Rejaz’s brother added.
Among the seized books was a Malayalam book on Karl Marx and Critiquing Brahmanism: A Collection of Essays by K. Murali. During Sydeek’s earlier arrest in Nagpur, police had also seized titles such as The Great Legacy of Marxism-Leninism: Lenin on the Socialist State, Only People Make Their Own History: Writings on Capitalism, Imperialism and Revolution, and He Who Defied Death: Life and Times of Prof. G.N. Saibaba.
Laughing at the news of the seizure, writer K. Murali said, “If possessing a book criticising Brahmanism is a crime, then the complete works of Dr B.R. Ambedkar should be the first to be confiscated. Ambedkar openly criticised Brahminism, famously urging people to destroy it with dynamite. It’s disgraceful that a country which hails Ambedkar as the father of the Constitution treats a book on caste as terror material.”
Human rights activist and Janakiya Manushyavakasha Prasthanam member C.P. Rasheed condemned the arrest, calling it “another example of an undeclared emergency.”
He said, “Books on Marxism and caste are commonly found in the homes of politically conscious individuals. None of these books are banned. Are we going to arrest people across the country for reading books?”
Rejaz’s family alleged that the seizure list, signed by a sub-inspector from Lakadganj Police Station in Nagpur, did not specify the exact locations where the items were found—an apparent violation of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
“There is no uniform standard for the seizure of digital devices,” said Advocate Thushar Nirmal Sarathy, who has represented many accused under the UAPA in the Kerala High Court.
“Some court rulings mandate taking a hash value of devices, while others don’t. This lack of clarity creates legal uncertainty. Moreover, forensic examination takes time and is often used as a reason to deny bail.”
Rejaz Sydeek has reportedly been under police surveillance for over two years due to his activism and journalistic work. Sources close to him say he had previously posted photos of officers he claimed were following him.
This is the second FIR against him in ten days. On April 29, the Kerala Police booked Rejaz and seven others for participating in a protest against the “collective punishment of Kashmiris following the Pahalgam attack.” The protestors, who reportedly read aloud Supreme Court guidelines on house demolitions and relevant Geneva Convention articles, were charged with rioting, unlawful assembly, and traffic obstruction.
Earlier, during an Indian Super League (ISL) football match, Rejaz and three others were detained for nearly five hours for wearing keffiyehs—a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. The Kerala Police’s Anti-Terror Squad had previously visited his home to inquire about his role in pro-Palestine protests. Rejaz is a core member of the Kerala-based collective Friends of Palestine.
As an independent journalist, Rejaz has contributed to Countercurrents, Maktoob Media, The Observer Post, and Asian Speaks. He is an editorial member of the Kerala-based news portal Arora Online, covering issues such as police brutality, encounter killings, human rights violations, and labour exploitation.
During a reporting trip to Kodagu on the death of an 18-year-old Adivasi labourer from the Paniya Yerava community, he was allegedly detained by police after a complaint from an upper-caste community leader. His report, published by Maktoob Media, on police harassment of Muslim youth in the aftermath of the Kalamassery bomb blast also led to a case being filed against him and the portal’s editor.
Rejaz and a colleague who protested at the Nava Kerala Sadas, demanding the withdrawal of the FIR against him, were allegedly assaulted by CPI(M) workers. They were later booked by police for allegedly obstructing and assaulting officers on duty.
In response to his arrest, the Rejaz Solidarity Forum organized a protest in Kochi on May 12. Slogans such as “Release all political prisoners,” “Journalism is not terrorism,” and “Freedom of expression is not a crime” were raised at the gathering.
“The Modi government is targeting an activist who champions free expression and stands with the oppressed,” said CP Rasheed.
“There must be a strong nationwide solidarity movement by all democracy-believing citizens demanding Rejaz’s release.”
