Delhi High Court dismisses pleas moved by NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and HR head

In a major setback to the News founders, the Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed pleas moved by Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakraborty, challenging their police remand in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case for allegedly receiving the money to spread pro-China propaganda.

This comes after Justice Tushar Rao Gedela on Monday reserved his decision after hearing all parties related to the case.

Purkayastha and Chakraborty were arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on October 3.

The founders had moved Delhi HC challenging their arrest

The duo had moved the High Court last week challenging their arrest as well as the seven-day police custody and sought immediate release as an interim relief.

On October 10, the trial court sent them to judicial custody for 10 days after their custodial interrogation by the city police got over. The News office in Delhi has also been sealed.

What are the allegations?

As per the FIR, a large amount of funds to the news portal came in from China to "disrupt the sovereignty of India" and cause disaffection against the country.

It also alleged that Purkayastha conspired with a group, People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS), to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

(With inputs from PTI)