NewsClick UAPA case: Delhi court remands founding-editor Prabir Purkayastha, HR head to 7 days police custodyThe development after a series of raids were conducted on Tuesday morning by the Delhi Police on the team behind NewsClick and its contributors, including independent journalists.
A Delhi court on Tuesday remanded the founding editor of online media outlet NewsClick, Prabir Puryakastha, and its human resources head Amit Chakravarty to seven days of police custody in connection with a case lodged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
The two were arrested yesterday following a series of raids which were conducted in the wake of allegations made in an New York Times article that NewsClick was being paid to boost Chinese propaganda.
A series of raids were conducted on Tuesday morning by the Delhi Police on the team behind NewsClick as well as its contributors, including independent journalists.
In August, a New York Times investigation had accused NewsClick of being an organisation funded by a network linked with US millionaire Neville Roy Singham, to allegedly promote Chinese propaganda.
Besides the UAPA case, a money laundering case filed earlier is also pending against NewsClick.
The allegations made against the digital media website in the money laundering case include overvaluing of shares, diversion of funds and violation of foreign direct investment (FDI) regulations.
NewsClick and Purkayastha had earlier approached the Delhi High Court seeking a copy of the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) filed by the ED against them in the money laundering case.
While hearing this case, the High Court passed interim orders on June 21, 2021 and July 20, 2021 directing the ED not to take any coercive action against the website and its founder.
The Delhi High Court had in August issued notice to NewsClick and Purkayastha in a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking vacation of these orders protecting them from coercive action.
NewsClick's petition to quash an Economic Offences Wing (EOW) criminal complaint is presently pending before the High Court.