GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th May. Former Union finance minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram welcomed the recent judgment by the Supreme Court, declaring the arrest of NewsClick founder invalid, asserting that justice has prevailed.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Mr. Chidambaram underscored the significance of the court’s decision, highlighting the prolonged deprivation of freedom endured by the journalist. “NewsClick founder was arrested on October 3, 2023. The Supreme Court ruled today that his arrest was illegal. Justice will ultimately triumph and it has today,” he emphasized.
Expressing concern over the accountability for the unlawful arrest, Mr. Chidambaram raised pertinent questions regarding those responsible and the penalties they may face for infringing upon the journalist’s rights for over seven months.
The Supreme Court’s verdict invalidated the arrest and subsequent remand of NewsClick founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha, who was detained by Delhi Police in connection with a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court ordered Mr. Purkayastha’s release, contingent upon furnishing surety and bail bond.
Citing procedural irregularities, the bench highlighted the failure to provide Mr. Purkayastha with a copy of the remand application and grounds of arrest, thereby violating principles of natural justice. “A copy of the remand application was not provided to the appellant. This vitiates the arrest of the appellant…Though we would have released him without surety, since the chargesheet has been filed, we release him with surety and a bail bond,” the court stated.
Mr. Purkayastha had been in custody under the UAPA since October 3, 2023, over allegations related to receiving Chinese funds to propagate anti-national propaganda. The FIR alleged a significant inflow of funding from China to disrupt India’s sovereignty and incite disaffection against the country. Additionally, the probe agency accused Mr. Purkayastha of conspiring with the People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) to undermine the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
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