National Desk, 15th May: In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India declared the arrest and subsequent remand of NewsClick founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha by the Delhi Police as unlawful, ordering his immediate release on Wednesday. This decision represents a significant development in the ongoing legal case against Purkayastha.
Purkayastha had been detained in connection with a terror funding case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). A bench of justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta found his arrest and remand to be invalid, highlighting a pivotal moment in the legal proceedings.
The Supreme Court’s verdict followed Purkayastha’s appeal challenging his detention under the UAPA. He was accused of receiving Chinese funding to promote anti-national propaganda. The court observed that Purkayastha was not provided with a copy of the remand application and the grounds for his arrest, thereby breaching principles of natural justice.
The bench ruled that the lack of necessary documentation invalidated Purkayastha’s arrest. Despite the filing of a chargesheet, the court ordered his release, contingent upon furnishing surety and a bail bond.
Purkayastha, who had been held in Tihar Jail since October 2, 2023, sought release on medical emergency grounds, leading to his appeal to the Supreme Court. The legal case gained widespread attention due to allegations of receiving funds to promote pro-China propaganda. NewsClick’s human resources head Amit Chakravarty, initially implicated, withdrew his plea and turned approver in the case.
Purkayastha and Chakravarty were arrested following raids at 30 locations associated with NewsClick and its journalists. The arrests were based on accusations of undermining India’s sovereignty and inciting disaffection against the nation under the UAPA. Despite appeals to the High Court, their pleas for immediate release were denied due to the severity of the alleged offenses.
In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, Advocate Arshdeep Khurana expressed relief, emphasizing that the court had declared the arrest and remand proceedings illegal and ordered Purkayastha’s release. This ruling underscores a crucial affirmation of the importance of adhering to principles of justice and legality in legal proceedings.
Read More: Manipur Conflict Drives 67,000 Displacements in 2023, Highest in India Since 2018