NewsClick editor moves Delhi court seeking release of electronic devices

New Delhi: NewsClick founder-editor Prabir Purkayastha and head of human resources Amit Chakraborty have moved a Delhi court to request the release of electronic equipment that the police have confiscated and bail, respectively in a case filed under the guidelines of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

On Friday, Patiala House Courts' Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Hardeep Kaur gave Delhi Police till November 4 to respond to Chakraborty's bail request and until October 31 to respond to Purkayastha's application.

On Wednesday, Delhi Police told the court that they have the right to seek further custody of Purkayastha and Chakraborty and that they need to confront them with protected witnesses and electronic material recovered.

They were produced before the court on Wednesday on the expiry of their previously extended five-day judicial custody.

Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) for police Atul Srivastava told the court that they have the right to seek further custody and therefore, they are exercising the same.

ASJ Kaur then sent the duo to police custody till November 2.

Meanwhile, Advocate Arshdeep Singh Khurana appeared for Purkayastha and said the ground to unearth a larger conspiracy was also taken on the first day, and the test on the second remand was much higher. He further contended that they need to show what is the new thing they need to discover. All that they want to do in police custody can be done in judicial custody as well.

The Special Cell of Delhi Police had arrested Purkayastha and Chakravarty on October 3. A day after their arrest, Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Hardeep Kaur of Patiala House Courts sent them to seven days of police custody on October 4. Both then moved the high court challenging their police remand, which was upheld by the high court.

The duo has now taken the matter to the Supreme Court against the dismissal of their petitions challenging police remand, and on October 19, the apex court had issued notices to Delhi Police on the petitions. The bench comprising Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice P.K. Mishra heard the pleas and issued notices returnable in three weeks. The top court will hear the matter on October 30.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Purkayastha, had earlier argued before the high court that "all facts are false and not a penny came from China".

On October 3, in a statement regarding the search, seizure and detentions carried out in connection with the UAPA case registered by the Special Cell, the Delhi Police had said that a total of 37 male suspects were questioned at the office premises, while nine female suspects were questioned at their residences.

The police said that digital devices, documents, etc., were seized or collected for examination. The Special Cell had registered an FIR in connection with the case on August 17 under different sections of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code against NewsClick.

In August, a ‘New York Times’ investigation had accused NewsClick of being an organisation funded by a network linked with US millionaire Neville Roy Singham, to allegedly promote Chinese propaganda.

With inputs from IANS