According to sources, a Delhi court has allowed NewsClick’s human resources department head Amit Chakravarty to become an approver in the case filed against the news portal under anti-terror law UAPA over allegations that it received money to spread pro-China propaganda.
Special Judge Hardeep Kaur pardoned Chakravarty, who was arrested in the case, based on an application he filed recently seeking permission to become an approver, a move that could cause problems for NewsClick’s Editor-in-Chief and founder Prabir Purkayastha.
Chakravarty also stated that he had “material information” about the case and was willing to share it with the Delhi Police.
The Special Cell of Delhi Police had arrested Purkayastha and Chakravarty on October 3 and both of them are currently in judicial custody.
According to the FIR, a large amount of funds to the news portal came from China to “disrupt the sovereignty of India” and cause disaffection against the country.
It also alleged Purkayastha conspired with a group — People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) — to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
On October 3, police raided 88 locations in Delhi and seven in other states on suspects named in the FIR and those discovered through data analysis.
Around 300 electronic devices were also seized from NewsClick’s offices and the homes of the journalists being investigated.
Following the raids, the Special Cell questioned 46 people, including nine female journalists.
Source: PTI
