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Delhi's Patiala House Court has given Delhi Police an additional 10 days to complete its investigation in the case involving news portal Newsclick founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakraborty. A complaint was filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 after the portal was accused of receiving cash for pro-Chinese propaganda.
Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur gave time to prepare charge sheet in the case
Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur granted the extension, giving the police more time to prepare the charge sheet and extending judicial custody of the accused in the case. This extension follows two earlier extensions granted by the court on the request of Delhi Police.
Study of 4 lakh emails and over 100 digital documents
Reportedly, Delhi Police, represented by special public prosecutor advocate Akhand Pratap Singh, updated the court about the status of interrogation, citing the recovery of huge amount of data for investigation in the NewsClick case. The police highlighted the study of around 4 lakh emails and over 100 digital documents, which also include a suspect living outside India.
Delhi Police arrested two under UAPA rules
Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakraborty were arrested by Delhi Police last October under UAPA rules and are currently in judicial custody. Recently, the court appointed Amit Chakraborty as a government witness in the case, who is subject to observation and treatment under the Code of Criminal Procedure. The CrPC requires that an accomplice who wishes to testify against a co-accused in exchange for pardon be investigated and dealt with accordingly.
Chakraborty had also applied for bail in Delhi High Court.
There are protections against coerced or dishonest confessions, and the law requires that the confessor's testimony be supported by documentation. Chakraborty has also filed a bail petition in the Delhi High Court, the decision on which is yet to be taken. Delhi Police's Special Cell filed an FIR against Purkayastha, alleging that the People's Dispatch portal, owned and maintained by Pipak Newsclick Studio Pvt Ltd, was illegally funded using foreign funds as part of a scheme to undermine India's sovereignty. Was involved in spreading false stories through news.
Conspiracy to endanger India's security, unity and integrity
The FIR also states that foreign funds worth crores of rupees were illegally remitted to India by Indian and foreign entities as part of a conspiracy to endanger the security, unity and integrity of India.