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New Delhi: On Thursday, Delhi Patiala House Court sent NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and human resources department head Amit Chakravarty to judicial custody till December 1, in a case lodged under anti-terror law UAPA over allegations that the news portal received money to spread pro-China propaganda. The development comes after the Delhi Police had sought a 30-day custody for both.
Special Judge Hardeep Kaur sent both the accused to jail after they were produced before the court on expiry of their custodial interrogation by Delhi Police. Earlier, on October 31, the court had granted the Delhi Police 10 days to file their reply to an application moved by Purkayastha, seeking the release of his electronic devices seized during the investigation of the case.
The court had granted the city police their remand for a second time on October 25 setting aside their counsel Arshdeep Singh Khurana’s contention that no new ground for it was mentioned in the application. Special Judge Hardeep Kaur, who had issued notice to the city police earlier, granted them time to respond following a request by the investigating agency. On October 27, both the accused had moved the Delhi court seeking bail in the case.
The Special Cell of Delhi Police booked Purkayastha, the portal’s editor-in-chief, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and arrested him on October 3. He is currently lodged in jail in judicial custody. According to the FIR, a large amount of funds received by the news portal came from China to “disrupt the sovereignty of India” and cause disaffection against the country.
