Delhi HC reserves order in NewsClick founder’s plea challenging arrest
The Hindu
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.
The Opposition Congress demanded that the government open the Gandhi Vatika Museum, depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and freedom struggle, built at a cost of ₹85 crore in Jaipur’s Central Park last year, during the Congress-led regime in Rajasthan. The museum has not been opened to the public, reportedly because of the administration’s engagements with the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.