Delhi court allows NewsClick HR head Amit Chakravarty to turn approver in UAPA case - 2024-01-11

A Delhi court has allowed an application of Amit Chakravarty, human resources department chief of news portal NewsClick, to turn approver in the case lodged under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly receiving money to spread pro-China propaganda. Amit Chakravarty moved an application to turn approver in UAPA case Chakravarty had moved the court seeking its permission to turn approver in the case, claiming that he was in possession of “material information” about the case and he was willing to disclose the same to the Delhi Police. Special Judge Hardeep Kaur pardoned Chakravarty on his application seeking to turn approver in the case, news agency PTI reported. Court earlier granted Delhi Police 60 more days to complete investigation in UAPA case The court had earlier, while extending the judicial custody of Purkayastha and Chakravarty in the UAPA case till January 20, had granted 60 more days to the Delhi Police to complete the investigation in the case on an application moved by the Delhi Police. What are the charges? According to the First Information report (FIR), a large amount of funds from China came to the news portal to disrupt sovereignty of India and cause disaffection against the country. There are further allegations that Purkayastha conspired with a group to sabotage the electoral process during the last general elections held in 2019. Arrest in UAPA case illegal: Purkayastha, Chakravarty claimed in Delhi HC Purkayastha and Chakravarty had claimed in the Delhi High Court that their arrest and subsequent police remand in the UAPA case was unlawful on the ground that they were not informed by the investigating agency in writing about the reason of their arrest within 24 hours. The High Court, however, rejected the arguments Purkayastha and Chakravarty and upheld their arrest and subsequent police remand in the case. The duo later challenged the High Court order in the Supreme Court, where their pleas are pending.