NewsClick Row: Delhi Court Extends Judicial Custody of Founder and HR Head till Feb 17

Delhi’s Patiala House Court on Monday extended the judicial custody of NewsClick founder and editor-in-chief, Prabir Purkayastha and HR Head, Amit Chakravarty in the case registered by Delhi Police under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The allegations suggest that the news portal NewsClick received substantial funds for pro-China propaganda.

Additional Sessions Judge Dr. Hardeep Kaur extended their judicial custody until February 17, 2024.

Recently, the court permitted Amit Chakravarty to become an approver in the case. Prabir was represented by Advocate Arshdeep Singh Khurana, and Amit Chakravarty was represented by Advocate Lalit Kumar during the hearing.

An approver, an accomplice who chooses to testify against co-accused in exchange for a pardon, is subject to examination and treatment under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Legal safeguards are in place to prevent coerced or deceitful confessions, and the approver’s testimony must be supported by corroborative evidence as per the law.

Earlier, the same court granted the Delhi Police Special Cell an additional two months to complete the investigation. The police had sought an extension of time to conclude the investigation in the case.

The court had previously dismissed NewsClick founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha’s application, which sought directions to release his electronic devices seized by Delhi Police.

In October 2023, the Delhi Police arrested Purkayastha and NewsClick HR Head Amit Chakraborty under the provisions of UAPA. The Delhi Police’s Special Cell, in its FIR against Purkayastha, alleged that the People’s Dispatch Portal, owned and maintained by PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt. Ltd., was used to intentionally peddle false narratives through paid news, replacing crores of illegally routed foreign funds as part of a conspiracy.

The FIR further stated that foreign funds in crores were illegally infused in India by Indian and foreign entities inimical to India, aiming to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, cause disaffection against India, and threaten the unity, integrity, and security of India.