The Delhi High Court today issued notice to the Delhi Police on a plea lodged by NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha challenging the first information report (FIR) registered by the Delhi Police against him under provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
Despite opposition from the Delhi Police, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued the notice. Appearing for the police, Advocate Zoheb Hossain said that there has been a subsequent development in the case as one of the accused, former NewsClick Human Resource head Amit Chakraborty, has turned an approver. The Advocate added that the offences alleged were prima facie made out against the accused.
Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan who appeared for the NewsClick founder opposed the submission. Subsequently, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma noted that the court will have to issue notice in order to consider the Delhi Police’s reply.
The court asked what difference does it make if it issues notice, adding that they need to read why they need to adopt a different procedure. Following, the court issued notice in the matter and listed the case for further consideration in July. Prabir Purkayasthan’s petition had been listed on four occasions but no notice was issued by the Court until today.
Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakraborty’s petitions challenging their arrest and remand were rejected by the High Court on October 13, 2023. The High Court’s order has been challenged before the Supreme Court and that appeal is still pending before the top court.
After a series of raids following allegations made in a New York Times article that NewsClick was being paid to boost Chinese propaganda, Purkayastha and Chakraborty were arrested.
The FIR stated that the accused illegally received crores of rupees in foreign funds and deployed the same with an intention to disrupt the sovereignty, unity and security of India. It added that secret inputs suggest that substantial foreign funds were illegally funneled into India by both Indian and foreign entities.