New Delhi, The Supreme Court of India has ruled the arrest and detention of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) as illegal, ordering his immediate release. This decision comes amid allegations that NewsClick received foreign funding in violation of regulations, which led to Purkayastha’s arrest last year.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the court found significant legal faults with both the arrest and the subsequent remand of Purkayastha, prompting immediate directives for his release. “The arrest and the remand proceedings were held to be illegal,” stated Advocate Arshdeep Khurana, representing Purkayastha. This ruling is seen as a significant vindication for NewsClick, which has consistently refuted all allegations, including claims of receiving illicit funds from foreign entities linked to the Chinese government.
The backdrop to this case includes a broader investigation by Indian authorities into NewsClick’s funding and operations, with accusations that the news platform was involved in activities detrimental to India’s sovereignty. This legal battle has highlighted issues of press freedom and the use of stringent laws like the UAPA against journalists in India.