Amit Chakravarty, the Human Resources head at the news portal NewsClick, has formally submitted an application to the concerned court expressing his desire to become an approver in an ongoing case.

In his application, Chakravarty asserts his willingness to provide a statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) before a Magistrate. This legal maneuver comes in connection with a case registered under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The case in question revolves around allegations that NewsClick, the news portal where Chakravarty is employed, received substantial funds for engaging in pro-China propaganda activities. In a proactive move, Chakravarty filed the application before the Additional Sessions Judge, Hardeep Kaur, invoking relevant legal sections that empower him to seek approval to become an approver in the ongoing investigation.

An accomplice, opting to testify against a co-accused in exchange for a pardon, undergoes scrutiny and procedural examination in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Legal safeguards are in effect to forestall coerced or misleading confessions, mandating that the approver's testimony align with corroborative evidence as stipulated by the law.

Recently, the Patiala House Court in Delhi has granted an extension of two months to the Delhi Police Special Cell for the completion of their ongoing investigation. This extension underscores the court's recognition of the intricacies involved in the case and the necessity for a comprehensive inquiry before reaching any conclusive legal decisions.

In the ongoing legal proceedings, the police filed a request in the Patiala House Court, seeking an extension of the investigation period in the case. Specifically, the police sought an additional three months to conclude their inquiry into the matter.

Responding to the plea, Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur, on Friday, granted the Delhi Police's request, allowing an extension of 60 days for the investigative process. Concurrently, the court decided to extend the judicial custody of Prabir Purkayastha and other individuals implicated in the case until January 2024.

Meanwhile, the court dismissed an application from Prabir Purkayastha, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Newsclick, requesting the release of electronic devices seized by the Delhi Police. The denial of this application adds another layer to the legal intricacies surrounding the case.

It's worth noting that in October, Delhi Police arrested Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakraborty, the HR Head of Newsclick, under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). These arrests marked a significant turn in the unfolding legal saga surrounding the news portal and its key personnel.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by Delhi Police's Special Cell against Prabir Purkayastha, the People's Dispatch Portal, owned and operated by PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt Ltd., stands accused of purposefully disseminating false narratives through paid news. The FIR alleges that this dissemination was facilitated by the channeling of crores of illegally routed foreign funds, constituting part of a larger conspiracy.

The FIR outlines the claim that both Indian and foreign entities, with intentions contrary to India's interests, have illicitly injected substantial foreign funds into the country. This alleged conspiracy is purportedly aimed at disrupting India's sovereignty and territorial integrity, fostering disaffection against the nation, and posing a threat to its unity, integrity, and security. The FIR underscores the gravity of the charges, framing them within the context of a broader scheme to undermine the foundational aspects of India's stability and security.

Image source: ANI