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In a significant development, a Delhi court has granted the request of NewsClick editor Prabir Purkayastha and the website's Human Resources (HR) head Amit Chakraborty for a copy of the first information report (FIR) registered against them under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur ordered Delhi Police to provide a copy of the FIR to the accused, despite strong opposition from law enforcement.
Following a series of raids that were allegedly sparked by claims made in a New York Times article that NewsClick was involved in spreading Chinese propaganda, Purkayastha and Chakraborty were detained. The organization was allegedly supported by a network connected to US businessman Neville Roy Singham, according to a New York Times story.
On October 3, the accused were brought into jail; however, neither a copy of the FIR nor the remand order was given to them. They then went to the Delhi court to request these crucial records. The Delhi Police argued against the claim, claiming that the matter was delicate and the correct protocol had not been followed.
But, the Court sided with the accusers, reiterating their entitlement to see the FIR. According to attorney Arshdeep Singh, even in delicate situations, the law plainly requires the provision of an FIR copy.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police is looking into NewsClick in addition to the UAPA case, and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also opened a case based on the EOW FIR. Prior to this, the Delhi High Court had ordered both agencies to avoid using enforcement against Purkayastha and NewsClick in these cases.
NewsClick has boldly denied the allegations, asserting its independence and constancy to professional journalistic standards. The website highlighted that it does not publish content at the instruction of any Chinese entity or Neville Roy Singham, calling the proceedings against them "motivated and malicious."
This development marks a step forward in the ongoing legal saga surrounding NewsClick and its leadership, as they continue to defend their journalistic loyalty.
Stay tuned to get the latest updates about the same.
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