- By Abhirupa Kundu
- Tue, 10 Oct 2023 07:53 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Delhi High Court has reserved order petitions moved by NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and Human Resources head Amit Chakravarty challenging their arrest and remand in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case registered by the Delhi Police's Special Cell. A bench comprising Justice Tushar Rao Gedela after hearing at length the matter from all sides, kept the order reserved.
Veteran lawyer, Kapil Sibal who was appearing for Prabir Purkayastha submitted that grounds of arrest are to be given to the magistrate.
"This is far more serious, We're dealing with liberty here. The prosecution can call counsel from legal aid, or prosecution counsel but you can't call the defence counsel? This whole argument about Kashmir. I'll show you the email- it's shocking. Had lawyers been present, he would've argued on merits. Not a penny has come from China," Sibal argued, reported news agency ANI.
Amit Charavarty's advocate submitted that he is suffering from 59 per cent disability and is paralysed and can't function without a wheelchair.
Senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta addresses during a protest against the arrest of news portal NewsClick founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha. (Photo credit: ANI)
"Since 2021, I have been summoned by the Delhi Police and Enforcement Directorate on various occasions a lot of my information about bank accounts, emails - and everything has been seized. Not once did I apply for anticipatory bail. I was not on interim protection at any stage and I've never been arrested, said Amit Chakravarty's lawyer to court.
"I'm not responsible in any way for the content that is published on the website & I perform administrative tasks. Throughout this arrest, remand, arrest, I have been clubbed together & I haven't got an opp regarding my circumstances. The remand app makes no mention of my physical disability etc, " he added.
Tushar Mehta who was appearing for the Special Cell said that one of the most serious allegations came to light between the email exchanges petitioners and the Chinese where they were planning to create a map of India without Arunachal Pradesh, calling it the northern border of India.
The SG submitted that huge funds come from China and the purpose is to ensure that the integrity of the country is compromised. Thus the offences are very serious. This is an arrest under the UAPA.
The Delhi Police's Special Cell in its FIR against news web portal NewsClick's founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha stated that People's Dispatch Portal, owned and maintained by M/S PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt. Ltd. has been used for intentionally peddling these false narratives through paid news in lieu of crores of rupees of illegally routed foreign funds as part of the conspiracy.
(With inputs from agencies)