SC to hear bail hearing of NewsClick founder on Thursday
What's the story
The case regarding the arrests of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakraborty will be heard by the Supreme Court on Thursday. Both of them were arrested under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on October 3 after being accused of spreading pro-China propaganda in return for money. Purkayastha has denied all the allegations, calling them "false" and "bogus."
Twitter Post
SC lists the case for October 19
Supreme Court says it will hear on 19th October a plea filed by Newsclick founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha and website's HR head Amit Chakraborty challenging their arrest and detention under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) over alleged Chinese funding to… pic.twitter.com/GfPntJrjBn
— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2023
Details
NewsClick accused of anti-national activities
In their FIR, the Delhi Police alleged that "foreign funds were fraudulently infused by Indian and foreign entities inimical to India." The outlet has also been accused of running anti-national content. "Their attempts to tinker with India borders and to show Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as not parts of India...amount to an act intended toward undermining the territorial integrity of India," it said.
Newsclick
Trial court directed police to provide FIR copy to accused
Earlier this month, the Patiala House Court directed the police to provide a copy of the FIR to both accused in the case. The court was referring to a 2016 Supreme Court verdict and a 2010 Delhi High Court order. Additional sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur instructed the investigating officer to supply a certified copy of the FIR "as per law."
Insight
Bail denied by Delhi HC
Last week, the Delhi High Court denied bail to Purkayastha and Chakraborty, saying that both their petitions do not "find any merit." It is pertinent to note that the Delhi police have also named American millionaire Neville Roy Singham and activist Gautam Navlakha in its FIR. The police also conducted multiple raids at the Newsclick properties and questioned journalists belonging to the organization.