NewsClick Row: Delhi HC Reserves Order on Purkayastha and Chakravarty Pleas

The Delhi High Court on Monday reserved order on pleas filed by NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and the head of the human resources department, Amit Chakravarty. These pleas challenge their arrest and subsequent police custody in a case lodged under anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Legal counsel representing Purkayastha and Chakravarty argued that their arrest and detention are legally unsustainable on several grounds. They asserted that the grounds for arrest were not provided to them at the time of apprehension, and the remand order was issued by the trial court in a mechanical manner, in the absence of their legal representatives.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the police, opposed the pleas, citing that the case involves “serious offenses” and the arrest was in accordance with the statutory requirements of the UAPA.

A single bench of Justice Tushar Rao Gedela stated, “Arguments heard. Order reserved.”

Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakravarty were taken into custody by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on October 3. Last week, they approached the high court, challenging their arrest and subsequent seven-day police custody, and sought immediate release as an interim relief measure. The trial court had ordered their detention in police custody until October 11. Additionally, the Delhi Police has sealed NewsClick’s office in Delhi.

The news portal has been accused of receiving funds to disseminate pro-China propaganda. The FIR alleges that a significant amount of money was funneled from China to NewsClick with the intention of “disrupting the sovereignty of India” and inciting disaffection against the country. It further alleges that Prabir Purkayastha conspired with a group called the People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) to undermine the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.