NewsClick Row: SC Defers Hearing on Founder and HR Head Pleas Challenging Arrest

The Supreme Court on Monday deferred post Diwali vacation the hearing on the pleas of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and its HR head Amit Chakravarty, who were arrested under the anti-terror law UAPA.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Prashant Kumar Mishra informed senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing both the accused, that the court will address the pleas following the vacation.

Sibal noted that the matter is covered by the recent judgment of the Supreme Court, which ruled that the grounds for arrest must be promptly shared with the accused. However, in this instance, no information was shared. He also mentioned a pending application for medical bail.

The bench agreed to consider the medical bail application alongside the main matter after the Diwali vacation.

On October 19, the Apex Court had sought the Delhi Police’s response to the pleas of Purkayastha and Chakravarty, challenging the Delhi High Court’s October 13 order. The high court had dismissed their pleas against arrest and subsequent police remand, which had been authorized on October 3.

Subsequently, Purkayastha and Chakravarty had approached the high court, challenging their arrest and seven-day police custody, and seeking immediate release as interim relief. However, the court declined to grant them relief, stating that there was no procedural irregularity or violation of the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in their arrest.

The Delhi Police has filed cases against the two under the UAPA, alleging that they received funds to propagate pro-China propaganda. The FIR stated that a substantial amount of funds had been received from China to disrupt India’s sovereignty and promote disaffection against the country. It also alleged that Purkayastha conspired with the People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) to subvert the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

On November 2, a Delhi court had remanded Purkayastha and Chakravarty to judicial custody until December 1 in the case.