HR head of NewsClick in bail plea states no role in journalism, management; 0.09% share

New Delhi: In a case filed under the UAPA, the Delhi Police on Friday questioned the maintainability of NewsClick Human Resources chief Amit Chakravarty's bail application. However, Chakravarty's counsel countered that his client holds a mere 0.09 per cent stake in the company and plays no role in journalism and management.

The case was brought up for hearing after Delhi Police was given more time to answer to the bail application by Special Judge Hardeep Kaur of Patiala House Courts on November 4.

Accused under the provision of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Chakravarty’s counsel argued that his client has not been made an accused in the First Information Report.

He further said that since the charge sheet has not been filed, the court should look at the case diary to see whether the prima facie case against the accused is being proved right or not.

The court will have to see what material is available on record against Chakravarty, he added.

Opposing the bail application, Delhi Police said that the accused should file it under appropriate sections.

"Investigation is still in its initial stage and no bail should be granted," it argued.

The court has now adjourned the matter till November 24.

Last month, NewsClick editor-founder Prabir Purkayastha and Chakravarty had moved the court seeking the release of electronic devices seized by the police and bail, respectively. On November 2, the court sent Purkayastha and Chakravarty to judicial custody till December 1.

On October 25, the judge sent the duo to police custody after police told the court that they had the right to seek further custody of Purkayastha and Chakravarty and that they needed to confront them with protected witnesses and electronic material recovered. They were produced before the court on the expiry of their five-day judicial custody.

Additional Public Prosecutor for Police Atul Srivastava had told the court that they have the right to seek further custody and therefore, they are exercising the same. Hence, the court had sent them to police custody till November 2.

The Special Cell of Delhi Police had arrested Purkayastha and Chakravarty on October 3. A day after their arrest, the judge had sent them to seven days' of police custody on October 4.

Both then moved to the high court challenging their police remand, which was upheld by the high court. The duo has now taken the matter to the Supreme Court against the dismissal of their petitions challenging police remand, and on October 19, the apex court had issued notices to Delhi Police on the petitions.

The bench comprising Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice P. K. Mishra heard the pleas and issued notices returnable in three weeks.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Purkayastha, had earlier argued before the high court that "all facts are false and not a penny came from China".

The Special Cell had registered an FIR in connection with the case on August 17 under different sections of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code against NewsClick. In August, a New York Times investigation had accused NewsClick of being an organisation funded by a network linked with US millionaire Neville Roy Singham, to allegedly promote Chinese propaganda.

With inputs from IANS