NewsClick Founder and HR Head Move Supreme Court Against Arrests Under UAPA

Prabir Purkayastha, the founder of NewsClick, and Amit Chakravarty, the company’s HR head, have taken their legal battle to the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court declined to interfere with their arrests and subsequent police remand. They face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), an anti-terror law.
Legal Challenge
On Monday, a bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, along with Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, acknowledged the urgency of the case, taking note of senior lawyer Kapil Sibal’s submissions on behalf of Purkayastha and Chakravarty. The CJI agreed to consider listing the case for hearing.
On October 13, the Delhi High Court dismissed the plea challenging the arrests and subsequent police custody of Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakravarty. Both individuals were arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on October 3.
They had moved the high court seeking their immediate release as interim relief and challenging the legality of their arrest and the seven-day police custody. On October 10, the trial court ordered them into judicial custody for ten days.
Charges Under UAPA
The case against Purkayastha and Chakravarty involves allegations of receiving funds to disseminate pro-China propaganda. These allegations fall under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
According to the FIR, substantial funds were allegedly received from China to NewsClick with the intent to disrupt India’s sovereignty and create disaffection against the country.
The FIR also claimed that Purkayastha conspired with a group called the People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) to undermine the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
The legal battle in this case highlights the complexities and legal ramifications of charges brought under anti-terror laws and underscores the importance of due process and a fair legal defense.
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