Delhi High Court Orders Release Of Newsclick HR Head Amit Chakraborty In UAPA Case

Newsclick HR Head Amit Chakraborty

Following a petition by Amit Chakraborty, the human resources head of news portal NewsClick, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court has directed his release in a case filed against the platform under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Chakraborty, who turned approver in the case, was arrested alongside NewsClick Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha on October 3 last year, subsequent to raids conducted by the Delhi Police.

The case stemmed from allegations made in a New York Times article suggesting NewsClick’s involvement in promoting Chinese propaganda for financial gain. Chakraborty’s cooperation with authorities as an approver began in January 2024.

The Delhi Police had accused the platform of unlawfully receiving significant amounts of foreign funds, allegedly funneled by Neville Roy Singham, an individual purportedly associated with the Communist Party of China’s propaganda department. The funds were allegedly utilized to undermine India’s sovereignty, unity, and security.

Recently, a Delhi court acknowledged the chargesheet filed against NewsClick and Purkayastha. However, NewsClick has vehemently denied these allegations, labeling them as attempts to suppress independent journalism. In a statement released on May 1, NewsClick reiterated its stance, asserting that the investigations were aimed at delegitimizing its coverage of protests and government policies.

Notably, earlier challenges by Purkayastha and Chakraborty against their arrest and remand were dismissed by the High Court on October 13, 2023. They subsequently appealed this decision to the Supreme Court. While Chakraborty withdrew his plea in January after agreeing to cooperate, a verdict on Purkayastha’s petition challenging his arrest is still pending.

The Delhi High Court’s decision to release Chakraborty underscores the evolving dynamics of the case and the legal complexities surrounding it. As the legal proceedings continue, the case remains a focal point for discussions on press freedom and the boundaries of journalistic practices in India.

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Srishti Verma