SC declares arrest of NewsClick editor Prabir Purkayastha illegal, allows release on bail bond
- In Reports
- 06:16 PM, May 15, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the arrest of NewsClick Editor Prabir Purkayastha by the Delhi Police under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was illegal and declared it void. However, the court directed him to furnish a bail bond before his release.
Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta delivered the verdict, highlighting that Purkayastha was not provided with a copy of the remand application, which rendered his arrest invalid in accordance with the Pankaj Bansal case.
The bench observed that the appellant and his counsel were not given a copy of the remand application before the remand order was passed on October 4, 2023, thereby concluding that both the arrest and the remand were flawed.
Despite considering releasing him without surety, the bench decided to release him on bail bond due to the filing of a chargesheet. The court remarked, "Though we would have released him without surety, but since chargesheet has been filed... we release him with surety and bail bond."
NewsClick faced scrutiny following raids conducted in October 2023 across 88 locations in Delhi and seven in other states. During the raids, approximately 300 electronic gadgets were seized from NewsClick offices and journalists' residences, leading to the arrests of Prabir Purkayastha and Human Resources head Amit Chakravarty under the UAPA. They were accused of receiving money to propagate pro-China propaganda.
Amit Chakraborty, also implicated in the case, approached the Supreme Court to contest his arrest. However, he later withdrew his plea after agreeing to cooperate with the Enforcement Directorate as an approver and receiving a pardon.
Prabir Purkayastha challenged his arrest in the Delhi High Court, and the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the High Court's judgment provides a significant relief to the NewsClick Editor.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal represented Prabir Purkayastha, while Additional Solicitor General SV Raju represented the Delhi Police.
Image source: Times of India
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