NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the release of NewsClick founder and editor-in-chief, Prabir Purkayastha, on bail in connection with a case under UAPA. Purkayastha was accused of promoting Chinese propaganda. The court deemed his custody illegal as the Delhi Police had failed to provide him with a copy of the remand application.
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta said Purkayastha’s remand was rendered illegal for non-furnishing the remand application to him.However, as the chargesheet has already been filed, SC decided to release him on bail.
“Arrest, subsequent remand order of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha are declared to be invalid in eyes of law,” the apex court said.
The FIR alleged that Purkayastha conspired to undermine the democratic process during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with the People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS).
The news portal allegedly received large sums of money from China to ‘disrupt the sovereignty of India’ and cause disaffection against the country, according to the FIR.
(With inputs from agencies)
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta said Purkayastha’s remand was rendered illegal for non-furnishing the remand application to him.However, as the chargesheet has already been filed, SC decided to release him on bail.
“Arrest, subsequent remand order of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha are declared to be invalid in eyes of law,” the apex court said.
The FIR alleged that Purkayastha conspired to undermine the democratic process during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with the People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS).
The news portal allegedly received large sums of money from China to ‘disrupt the sovereignty of India’ and cause disaffection against the country, according to the FIR.
(With inputs from agencies)
