NewsClick Row: Delhi Court Grants Police 20 More Days to Complete Investigation

Delhi’s Patiala House Court has granted an additional 20 days to the Delhi Police to conclude their investigation into Prabir Purkayastha, founder and Editor-in-Chief, and Amit Chakravarty, HR Head of the news portal.

The case falls under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, following allegations that News Portal NewsClick received substantial funds for pro-China propaganda.

During the extension of the investigation period, Additional Sessions Judge Pawan Kumar expressed dissatisfaction with the Delhi Police’s prolonged investigation, questioning their actions over the past 150 days. The judge remarked that if the police had effectively utilized this time, an extension would not have been necessary.

The Delhi Police, represented by Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Akhand Pratap Singh, asserted that they have promptly pursued the investigation. They highlighted the retrieval of a large volume of data, including nearly 4 lakh emails and over 100 digital documents. Additionally, one of the accused is residing outside India, complicating the investigative process.

“We are in the process of scrutinizing evidence and compiling it,” stated the Delhi Police.

In the meantime, the Court has extended the Judicial Custody of the arrested accused individuals until March 15, 2024. Purkayastha and Amit Chakraborty were arrested under the provisions of UAPA last October and remain in Judicial Custody.

Recently, the Court permitted Amit Chakravarty to become an approver in the case. An approver is an accomplice who decides to testify against co-accused individuals in exchange for leniency. This decision is subject to examination and treatment under the CrPC, with safeguards in place to prevent coerced or deceitful confessions. Additionally, the approver’s testimony must be supported by corroborative evidence, as per legal requirements.

Following this development, Amit Chakravarty has filed a bail plea in the Delhi High Court. However, the court has yet to issue an order on his bail application.

The FIR filed by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell against Purkayastha alleges that the People’s Dispatch Portal, owned by PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt. Ltd., was used to disseminate false narratives through paid news. This was purportedly done in exchange for crores of illegally routed foreign funds as part of a conspiracy.

The FIR further alleges that Indian and foreign entities injected crores of illegal foreign funds into India to disrupt its sovereignty and territorial integrity. This was allegedly part of a conspiracy to sow disaffection and threaten the unity, integrity, and security of India.