Delhi Police files chargesheet against Newsclick, founder Prabir Purkaystha in UA(P)A case

New Delhi [India], March 30 (ANI): The Special Cell of Delhi Police on Saturday filed its first chargesheet against newsportal Newsclick, in the case registered under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, following allegations that the news portal received huge money for pro-China propaganda.

The chargesheet has been filed before the Additional Sessions Judge Dr Hardeep Kaur, in Patiala House Court which is containing nearly 8000 pages with annexures.

Special Public Prosecutors Advocate Akhand Pratap Singh and Suraj Rathi apprised the court that the chargesheet named Prabir Purkayastha, founder and editor-in-chief of NewsClick, and PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt Ltd as an accused.

During the hearing, SPPs Akhand Pratap Singh and Suraj Rathi requested the court that cognizance may be deferred citing that sanctions under section 45 of unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and section 196 (for prosecution for offence against state and for criminal conspiracy to commit such offence) of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) are awaited which would be filed in the form of supplementary chargesheet very soon.

Noted the submissions, the court fixed April 16, 2024, for arguements on cognizance point.

Recently, Delhi’s Patiala House Court granted Extension to the Delhi Police in filing the Chargesheet in December last year. Police first got two months extension and then 20 days in February this year.

Prabir Purkayastha and Newsclick are the prime accused while Amit Chakraborty has been turned approver in the case.

Prabir Purkayastha, founder and editor-in-chief of NewsClick, along with the head of its human resource department Amit Chakravarty were arrested in the case on 3rd Oct 2023. Both were arrested under stringent provisions of UAPA u/s sections 13, 16, 17, 18 and 22 of the UAPA, along with IPC sections 153A and 120B.

The Delhi Police FIR, stated that foreign funds in crores have been infused illegally in India by Indian and foreign entities inimical to India in pursuance of a conspiracy to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, to cause disaffection against India and to threaten the unity, integrity, and security of India.

The Delhi Police’s Special Cell in its FIR stated that People’s Dispatch Portal, owned and maintained by M/S PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt. Ltd. has been used for intentionally peddling false narratives through paid news in lieu of crores of Rupees of illegally routed foreign funds as part of conspiracy.

Foreign funds in crores have been infused illegally in India by Indian and Foreign entities inimical to India in pursuance of conspiracy with the intention to disrupt sovereignty and terrirorial integrity of India, to cause disaffection against India and to threaten the unity, integrity, security of India, stated in FIR.