Delhi HC reserves order in NewsClick founder’s plea challenging arrest

Delhi High Court reserved its verdict on pleas by NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and human resources department head Amit Chakravarty challenging their arrest and police custody

The Delhi High Court on October 9 reserved its verdict on pleas by NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and human resources department head Amit Chakravarty challenging their arrest and police custody in a case lodged under anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Justice Tushar Rao Gedela reserved the order after hearing the rival sides for around two hours. Mr. Purkayastha and Mr. Chakravarty were arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on October 3.

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During the hearing, Mr. Purkayastha, who has been charged of receiving money to spread pro-China propaganda, said the allegations against him were “false” and “bogus”, and “not a penny has come from China”.

On the other hand, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the investigation agency, said the ongoing investigation involves “serious offences”.

The Solicitor General said a “huge” sum of money, about ₹75 crore, came in from a person who is staying in China and “the purpose is to ensure that integrity and stability of the country is compromise”.

“One of the most serious allegations found in the e-mail exchanges between accused persons with somebody sitting in China is that we will prepare a map where we will show Jammu & Kashmir and what we call Arunachal Pradesh...they use the expression which Chinese use namely ‘northern border of India’ and not show that (Arunachal) to be a part of India,” the Solicitor General said.