Leader Online Desk : Newsclick's founder Prabir Purkayastha's arrest is illegal under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The Supreme Court ordered that they should be released immediately.
What is the matter?
- In October last year, the Delhi Police raided the homes of several journalists associated with the news website NewsClick.
- Newsclick founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakraborty were arrested.
- Delhi Police had registered a case under 'UAPA'.
SC says arrest of NewsClick founder invalid, orders his release
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/90g9Lg4o9b#SupremeCourt #Newsclick #Prabir pic.twitter.com/7V38x5TJ5E
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) May 15, 2024
For what reasons was the action taken?
In October last year, the Delhi Police raided the homes of several journalists associated with the news website NewsClick. The action was taken after a report by the New York Times in August 2023. In the report, the NewsClick website was accused of receiving funding from an American millionaire to spread Chinese propaganda. In this case, the police registered a case on the website. Newsclick had rejected all these allegations. Delhi Police had registered a case under 'UAPA'. NewsClick founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakraborty were arrested. Earlier, in 2021, an investigation was launched into the news website and its source of funding.
What did the Supreme Court say?
Justice B.R. on a petition challenging the Delhi Police's arrest of Prabir Purkayastha. The hearing was held before the bench of Gavai and Sandeep Mehta. In this case, the custody copy of the suspects was not submitted to the court. Therefore, this arrest itself is illegal. The bench ordered that they should be released immediately.
The entire action was illegal: Advocate Arshdeep Khurana
Prabir Purkayastha's lawyer Arshdeep Khurana said, “We have been saying from the beginning that the entire operation was illegal.” Also, there was an illegal arrest. The Supreme Court has considered the arrest and custody of Purkayasth as illegal. Instructions have been given to release them. Also instructions have been given to submit the bail bond before the Sessions Court.
Also Read:
