NewsClick Row: Chakravarty Moves Court Seeking Bail, Purkayastha Requests Return of Seized Devices

NewsClick human resources department head Amit Chakravarty has filed a bail application in Delhi’s Patiala House court in a case registered under the anti-terror law UAPA. The case alleges that the news portal received funds to disseminate pro-China propaganda.

Additionally, Prabir Purkayastha, the founder of NewsClick, has approached the court to request the release of his electronic devices, which were seized by the police in connection with the same case.

Special Judge Hardeep Kaur has granted the Delhi Police time to file a response to Chakravarty’s bail application by November 4 and to reply to Purkayastha’s application by October 31. These applications were filed on October 25.

Both Chakravarty and Purkayastha were arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on October 3.

The Delhi Police has charged both individuals under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), an anti-terror law, on allegations of receiving funds to promote pro-China propaganda. The FIR states that a substantial amount of funding originated from China, with the intent of undermining India’s sovereignty and fostering disaffection against the nation. Furthermore, it accuses Purkayastha of conspiring with a group, the People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS), to disrupt the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.