New Delhi. Delhi Police’s Special Cell on Saturday filed its first chargesheet of over 9,000 pages against Newsclick founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). His news portal is accused of taking money to spread pro-China propaganda.
During the hearing, Special Public Prosecutors Advocates Akhand Pratap Singh and Suraj Rathi requested the court to give a later date on the issue of taking cognizance of the chargesheet.
He said sanctions under Section 45 of the UAPA and Section 196 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) are awaited, which will be filed soon in the form of a supplementary chargesheet.
Along with Prabir Purkayastha, PPK Newsclick Studio Private Limited (news portal) has also been accused.
Patiala House Court Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur has fixed April 16 for the debate on whether cognizance should be taken of the charge sheet or not.
The judicial custody of Prabir Purkayastha and Newsclick HR head Amit Chakraborty has also been extended.
On January 9, the court had allowed Amit Chakraborty to turn approver in the case after he filed an application seeking pardon.
He claimed that he has important information which he wants to disclose to Delhi Police.
According to official sources, the chargesheet also contains information about 480 electronic devices seized during various raids during the investigation.
Sources said that Prabir Purkayastha has been accused of taking foreign funds to destabilize the country.
Sources also told IANS that Prabir Purkayastha has been identified as the primary suspect, while Amit Chakraborty has been given the role of witness.
Sources said the charge sheet alleges that Prabir Purkayastha accepted money to undermine the stability of the country by fabricating stories and attempting to disrupt the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
According to the FIR registered by Delhi Police on August 17 last year, a huge amount of money was secretly transferred from China.
This money was paid to circulate news articles that deliberately criticized India’s domestic policies and developmental initiatives, while supporting, advocating, and defending Chinese government policies and initiatives.
Sources said that NewsClick is accused of receiving approximately Rs 38 crore from abroad.
