In the wake of the recent arrests of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and human resources (HR) head Amit Chakravarty by the Delhi Police’s special cell, a Delhi court has issued notice to the Delhi Police regarding their applications seeking access to a copy of the FIR filed against them. The arrests have raised concerns about press freedom and have been made in connection with a case registered under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
Purkayastha and Chakravarty were arrested on Tuesday after raids were conducted on journalists, freelancers, writers, and satirists associated with the NewsClick portal. The Delhi Police alleged that these actions were linked to violations of the UAPA. The duo was presented before Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur in the early hours of Tuesday and subsequently remanded to seven-day police custody.
During the court proceedings, it was decided that the counsel for Prabir Purkayastha would be allowed to meet him daily for one hour during the remand period. Additionally, the court agreed to provide a copy of the remand order and remand application to the counsels representing both Purkayastha and Chakravarty. Furthermore, the court issued notice to the Delhi Police regarding an application seeking medication for Amit Chakravarty. The matter is scheduled for a hearing on Thursday.
In response to the arrests, NewsClick issued a statement on Wednesday, expressing concern about the lack of information provided to them regarding the FIR or the specific charges they face. The raids conducted by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police targeted various locations, including Newsclick’s offices and residences of journalists and employees.
NewsClick had previously faced legal troubles in 2021 when the Enforcement Directorate registered a case based on an FIR filed by the Delhi Police’s Economic Offence Wing in 2020. These allegations pertained to the overvaluation of shares, fund diversion, and violations of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regulations. In August, The New York Times reported allegations that the website received financial support from US millionaire Neville Roy Singham and was accused of promoting the ‘talking points’ of China’s Communist regime. A senior Delhi Police officer stated, “We have found some e-mails exchanged between Purkayastha and Neville Roy Singham, which were aimed to tarnish India’s image at the international level.”
The situation surrounding NewsClick’s founders and employees continues to evolve, raising important questions about press freedom, financial irregularities, and international relations.
Sources By Agencies