UAPA case against Newsclick: Amit Chakraborty files petition to become government witness
New Delhi: Amit Chakraborty, HR head of news portal Newsclick, has filed an application before the concerned court saying that he wants to turn approver in the case and to give his statement under 164 CrPC before the magistrate in the case registered under it. Are ready. Provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, following allegations that news portal NewsClick received huge funds for pro-China propaganda.
Chakraborty filed an application before Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur under relevant sections to turn approver in the case.
The approver, an accomplice who decides to testify against the co-accused in exchange for pardon, is subject to investigation and treatment under the CrPC. Safeguards are in place to prevent confessions being coerced or fraudulently obtained, and the confessor’s testimony must be supported by corroborative evidence in accordance with the law.
Last week, Delhi’s Patiala House Court had given Delhi Police Special Cell two more months to complete the investigation.
On December 19, the police filed an application in the Patiala House Court seeking extension of time to complete the investigation of the case. The police had sought three more months’ time to complete the investigation of the case.
Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur on Friday accepted the plea of Delhi Police and gave the police 60 days additional time. Meanwhile, the court also extended the judicial custody of Prabir Purkayastha and others in the case till January 2024.
Recently, the court rejected the plea of Prabir Purkayastha, founder and editor-in-chief of NewsClick, seeking directions for the release of his electronic devices seized by the Delhi Police.
In October, Delhi Police arrested Purkayastha and Newsclick HR head Amit Chakraborty under UAPA provisions.
The Special Cell of Delhi Police, in its FIR against Purkayastha, said that the People’s Dispatch portal, owned and maintained by PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt Ltd, was deliberately used to spread false news through paid news in lieu of illegal foreign funding worth crores. Is. Part of a conspiracy.
The FIR further states that crores of rupees were illegally smuggled into India by Indian and foreign entities hostile to India as part of a conspiracy to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, create disaffection against India and endanger the unity, integrity and Foreign funds have been invested. , and India’s security.
