NewsClick Founder Appeals Arrest Under Anti-Terror Law to Supreme Court

NewsClick Founder Appeals Arrest Under Anti-Terror Law to Supreme Court

Asif Iqbal | October 16, 2023 | 12:46 PM IST | Breaking News, Courts & Law, Delhi | Follow on Google News

NewsClick Founder Appeals Arrest Under Anti-Terror Law to Supreme Court. Pic/ndtv

NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and human resources department head Amit Chakraborty have taken their case to the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn a Delhi High Court ruling that denied their request to annul their arrest and remand in a UAPA case.

The Supreme Court Bench Considers Urgent Hearing

The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and including Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, has directed Mr. Purkayastha’s counsel, Kapil Sibal, to circulate the relevant papers. They have expressed their intention to determine an urgent hearing.”This is the NewsClick matter. The journalists are in police custody. Here one of the accused is a 75-year-old man,” Mr. Sibal highlighted.

Kashmirs First Vistadome Coach Set to Enhance Travel Experience on Budgam to Baramulla Route, Inauguration on October 19

Delhi High Court’s Controversial Ruling on UAPA Law

The Delhi High Court recently handed down a contentious judgment stating that the stringent anti-terror law UAPA does not necessitate the police to furnish written grounds for arrest at the time of detention. This ruling rejected the claims of Mr. Purkayastha and Mr. Chakraborty, who contended they were entitled to written grounds for their arrest at the time of detention.

The court called on the police to begin providing written grounds of arrest to the accused, ensuring the exclusion of confidential information. The Delhi High Court stated in its order, “The petition, being devoid of any merit, along with pending applications, is dismissed. After examining the entire issue from the right perspective, it appears as of now that the grounds of arrest were indeed conveyed to the petitioner, as soon as may be, after the arrest, and as such, there does not appear to be any procedural infirmity or violation of the provisions of Section 43B of the UAPA or Article 22(1) of the Constitution of India, and as such, the arrest is in accordance with the law.”

Arrested for Alleged Pro-China Propaganda and Election Manipulation

On October 3, the Delhi Police’s Special Cell apprehended Mr. Purkayastha and Mr. Chakravarty under UAPA charges, alleging that they received funds to disseminate pro-China propaganda in India.

The FIR contends that NewsClick received a substantial sum of money from China, intended to undermine India’s sovereignty and create discord among its citizens. The FIR also accuses Mr. Purkayastha of collaborating with a group known as the People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) to sabotage the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.