New Delhi: The Supreme Court granted permission on Monday for Amit Chakravarty, the Head of Human Resources at NewsClick, to withdraw his plea challenging his arrest in a case filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Chakravarty's plea withdrawal request was made before a bench comprising Justice BR Gavai, Justice Sanjay Karol, and Justice Sandeep Mehta. Chakravarty had approached the apex court challenging a Delhi High Court order dismissing his plea against arrest and subsequent police remand in the UAPA case.
The High Court had also rejected the plea of NewsClick’s Editor-in-Chief and founder, Prabir Purkayastha, challenging his arrest and subsequent police remand in the same case. Purkayastha has also challenged the High Court order before the Supreme Court.
Purkayastha and Chakravarty were arrested by the Special Cell of Delhi Police on October 3 in the UAPA case, facing allegations of receiving funds to disseminate pro-China propaganda.
Responding to Chakravarty’s plea withdrawal request, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, representing the Delhi Police, stated, “Let him withdraw if he wants to withdraw,” adding that Purkayastha’s plea needs to be heard.
The bench permitted Chakravarty to withdraw the plea and scheduled the matter for further hearing on January 30.
Delhi Court Grants Chakravarty Approval to Turn Approver in UAPA Case
In an earlier development, a Delhi court granted Chakravarty pardon and approved his plea to become an approver in the UAPA case registered against NewsClick. The case alleges that the media portal received funds from China to spread pro-China propaganda. Chakravarty asserted that he possessed "material information" about the case and was willing to disclose it to the Delhi Police.
According to the FIR, a significant amount of funds allegedly reached NewsClick from China with the intention of disrupting India's sovereignty and causing disaffection against the country. The founder of the portal was accused of conspiring with a group to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 general elections.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Leads All-Faith Harmony Rally
Congress Minister Vikramaditya Singh Attends Ayodhya Ceremony Despite Party's Denial of Invitation
