NewsClick Case : Live Updates From Delhi High Court- Prabir Purkayastha Plea Against Arrest In UAPA Case
NewsClick Founder Prabir Purkayastha and HR Head Move Delhi High Court head Amit Chakravarty have moved the Delhi High Court challenging their arrest in the UAPA case registered against them following allegations of the portal receiving money for pro-China propaganda.The High Court agreed to hear the petition today itself after Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned it this morning for...
NewsClick Founder Prabir Purkayastha and HR Head Move Delhi High Court head Amit Chakravarty have moved the Delhi High Court challenging their arrest in the UAPA case registered against them following allegations of the portal receiving money for pro-China propaganda.
The High Court agreed to hear the petition today itself after Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned it this morning for urgent hearing.
Prabir Purkayastha has moved the court challenging the UAPA FIR registered by DelhiPolice’s Special Cell, his arrest and the order remanding him to 7 days of police custody ending on October 10. Similar prayers have been made in Chakravarty’s plea.
The matter is listed before a bench of Justice Tushar Rao Gedela.
Follow this page for live-updates from the hearing.
Hearing ends.
Counsel for Amit Chakroborty: The situation is slightly different in this case. The petitioner is physically challenged.
Court: IO shall ensure that medical condition of the petitioner is not compromised in any way.
Court seeks Delhi Police's response on the petitions.
Mehta says case diaries will be placed before court.
Mehta: We will present it. IO will not tamper with evidence. Unnecessary hype is created.
Court lists matter for Monday.
Court: Monday first thing in the morning.
Mehta: Today we are on 6th. They have approached after four days.
Sibal: We got the FIR yesterday.
Mehta: I don't think my prayer is unreasonable. I leave it to your lordship.
Court: Mr. Mehta we will have it tomorrow then. Apparently in the remand application, you don't disclose the ground of arrest. Today there is a SC judgment which is staring in the eye.
Mehta: Instead of Saturday, please have it on Monday.
Court: Mr. Sibal, we will have it on Monday first thing in the morning.
Sibal: I must be given interim release. Give it on Monday. I'll go back.
Court: The issue is, the allegations don't seem to be of such nature which will get you released immediately.
Court: Mr. Mehta, tell us, the remand order, there appears to be something which is missing there because it's 6 AM and the counsel was not heard.
Mehta still requests for Monday.
SGI Mehta: I appear for the respondents. Certain facts were stated which I don't know. I've to take instructions.
Sibal: this is entirely illegal. I am entitled to be released.
Mehta: Please have it on Monday.
Sibal: No. This can't be.
Sibal: And that I sold those funds on a premium and that I was doing a fraud. That I siphoned the fund I paid salaries to my employees and journalists. In 2021 we moved court and an order was passed in my favour. I was granted protection from arrest.