The Supreme Court will hear Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakravarty’s plea against their arrest in UAPA case.

Supreme Court to Hear Plea of NewsClick Founder and HR Head Against Arrest under UAPA

The Supreme Court is set to hear the plea of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and its HR head Amit Chakravarty against their arrest and police remand under the anti-terror law UAPA on Thursday. The duo filed the plea in the top court seeking relief in the case.

Background

Earlier, a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra took note of the submissions of senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, who is representing Purkayastha and Chakravarty. Sibal stated that the matter needed urgent hearing and requested the court to circulate the case papers.

Delhi High Court had previously dismissed the plea against the arrest and subsequent police remand of the duo. Both were arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on October 3. They then approached the high court challenging their arrest and the seven-day police custody, seeking immediate release as interim relief. On October 10, the trial court sent them to judicial custody for 10 days. They have been booked under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly receiving funds to spread pro-China propaganda.

Accusations

The FIR alleges that a large amount of funds from China was received by the news portal to “disrupt the sovereignty of India” and cause disaffection against the country. It also claims that Purkayastha conspired with a group called People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Summary:

• The Supreme Court will hear the plea of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakravarty against their arrest and police remand under UAPA.
• Delhi High Court had previously dismissed their plea challenging the arrest and custody.
• Purkayastha and Chakravarty have been accused of receiving funds from China to spread pro-China propaganda.
• They have also been accused of conspiring with a group to sabotage the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

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