Read Time: 05 minutes
Chakraborty, along with Newclick's founder, was arrested on October 3 following a series of raids. The founder is currently in judicial custody
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday 'reserved order' in NewsClick's Human Resources Department (HR) head, Amit Chakraborty's bail plea in the case lodged against the news portal under anti-terror law UAPA over allegations that it received money to spread pro-China propaganda.
On January 9, a Delhi court allowed Chakraborty to turn an approver in the case. Chakravarty had approached the trial court in the last week of December 2023, seeking to "turn approver" in the ongoing case. NewsClick has been accused of receiving foreign funds from Chinese agents to spread "anti-India propaganda."
During the hearing today, the counsel for Chakraborty submitted that he has been in custody since October 3, 2023. The matter is still in the investigation stage. No charge sheet has been filed. "Although I have become a witness in this case and am cooperating with the investigating agency, my statement has already been recorded in December 2023," he submitted.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma noted, "The State has no objection to the grant of bail to the present accused applicant. It is stated that he has already been granted pardon after he turned an approver."
Trial Court Proceeding (Turning an Approver)
Special Judge Hardeep Kaur of Patiala House Court pardoned Chakravarty, arrested in the case, on an application he moved recently seeking the court's permission to turn an approver.
In the application, Chakraborty claimed to have material information and was willing to disclose it to the Delhi police. In return, the head of HR sought a pardon in the case.
Background
Chakraborty, along with Newclick's founder, was arrested on October 3 following a series of raids and initially remanded in police custody for seven days after they were produced at the judge’s residence on Tuesday night.
The raids were conducted in the wake of allegations made in a New York Times article that NewsClick was being paid to boost Chinese propaganda.
According to reports, the Delhi Police searched more than 30 locations, questioned several journalists in connection with the case, and arrested Purkayastha and Chakravarty. The police sealed NewsClick's office in Delhi.
It is also stated that 46 suspects were questioned, and digital devices, including laptops and mobile phones, and documents were taken away for examination. Among those questioned were journalists Urmilesh, Aunindyo Chakravarty, Abhisar Sharma, Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, and Sohail Hashmi; satirist Sanjay Rajoura; and D. Raghunandan of the Centre for Technology & Development. After being questioned for over six hours, they were allowed to go.
Case Title: Amit Chakroborty v. State
Please Login or Register
