Court takes cognisance of chargesheet against NewsClick founder
The Hindu
Delhi court takes cognisance of chargesheet against news portal PPK NewsClick for promoting pro-China propaganda.
A Delhi court on Tuesday took cognisance of a chargesheet filed by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell against news portal PPK NewsClick Studio Private Limited and its editor-in-chief, Prabir Purkayastha, who has been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, following allegations that his organisation promoted pro-China propaganda in return for money.
Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur of Patiala House Court fixed May 31 for arguments on charges.
During the arguments on cognisance, Special Public Prosecutor Akhand Pratap Singh, appearing for the police, told the court that there are eight protected witnesses in this case. He added that investigation in the matter was still on as several names had cropped up during the interrogation.
The special cell of Delhi Police also told the court about receiving the sanctions to prosecute Mr. Purkayastha under the UAPA. The sanction has to be given by the Centre or the State government and comes after the authorities review the evidence provided by the investigating agency.
The chargesheet against Newsclick was filed in the court on March 30, almost six months after the police had arrested Mr. Purkayastha and human resources head Amit Chakraborty on October 3, 2023.
The court had granted extensions to the Delhi Police to file the chargesheet three times, between December 2023 and March 2024. Mr. Chakraborty had turned approver in the case in January.
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