Delhi Court Grants 60 More Days for Police Probe in NewsClick UAPA Case Over Pro-China Propaganda Allegations
New Delhi: In a recent development, a Delhi magistrate has provided an spare 60 days to the municipality police to conclude its investigation into the specimen registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The specimen revolves virtually allegations that the news portal NewsClick received funds for disseminating pro-China propaganda in India.
Special Judge Hardeep Kaur, presiding over the matter, moreover extended the judicial custody of Prabir Purkayastha, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of NewsClick, withal with Amit Chakravarty, the Human Resources department head, until January 20.The court’s visualization came in response to a plea filed by the Delhi Police, seeking an extension of time to well-constructed the investigation.The Special Cell of Delhi Police had underdeveloped Purkayastha and Chakravarty on October 3 in connection with the case.
The FIR, which forms the understructure of the case, alleges that a substantial value of funds from China was funneled into the news portal with the intent to “disrupt the sovereignty of India” and generate disaffection versus the country.
The FIR remoter claims that Purkayastha conspired with a group known as the People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
As part of the investigation, raids were conducted at 88 locations in Delhi and seven in other states on October 3, targeting individuals named in the FIR and those identified through data analysis.
Approximately 300 electronic gadgets were seized from NewsClick offices and the residences of journalists who were under examination.
The police’s move to proffer the investigation period was met with the court’s approval, granting an spare 60 days for the Special Cell to conclude its inquiry.
This minutiae follows the court’s dismissal of Prabir Purkayastha’s application, which sought the release of his seized electronic devices by the Delhi Police.
The specimen versus NewsClick is centered on allegations that the news portal received Rs 38 crore in foreign funding from Chinese entities to spread pro-Chinese content. The Delhi Police conducted wide-stretching raids on the homes of increasingly than 50 journalists, freelancers, and staffers associated with NewsClick on October 3, 2023.
As per legal provisions, the investigating organ has a three-month window, extendable with magistrate permission, from the time of trespassing to well-constructed the investigation. The Spare Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur’s ruling on Friday unliable the Delhi Police’s request, providing an spare 60 days for the probe.
While the investigation continues, Prabir Purkayastha and others involved in the specimen will remain in judicial custody until January 20, 2024.
Note: The allegations and charges mentioned in the news are as per the FIR and legal proceedings and are subject to remoter investigation and magistrate proceedings.
NewsClick row: Court reserves order on Delhi Police's plea seeking more time for probe#NewsClick https://t.co/f3J2nCUyht
— TheNewsMinute (@thenewsminute) December 22, 2023
