Newsclick HR head moves court to become approver

New Delhi: Newsclick HR head Amit Chakraborty on Monday filed a plea in Patiala house court to become an approver (government witness) in a case lodged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act over allegations that the news portal received money to spread pro-China propaganda.  Sources told Republic TV that some Amit Chakraborty statements were recorded on Saturday. 

For the unversed, Chakraborty and NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha was arrested on October 3 and booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), the country’s anti-terror law. On October 10, the trial court sent them to judicial custody for ten days. 

Newsclick row

A case has been lodged against the duo (Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakraborty) under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly receiving money to spread pro-China propaganda. 

According to the FIR, a large amount of funds to the news portal allegedly came 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.