8,000-Page Chargesheet Filed In NewsClick Case, Founder Prabir Purkayastha Named As Accused

The Delhi Police on Saturday filed its first chargesheet, spread across about 8,000 pages, in the UAPA case against NewsClick and its founder Prabir Purkayastha for allegedly pushing Chinese propaganda, naming him and the firm owning the portal as accused.

The final report was filed by the Delhi Police Special Cell before Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur.

According to special public prosecutors, Akhand Pratap Singh and Suraj Rathi, the chargesheet names Mr Purkayastha and PPK NEWSCLICK Studio Private Limited as accused.

Court sources said the chargesheet contains over 8,000 pages, including annexures. The matter has been posted for further proceedings on April 16.

The court granted extensions to the Delhi Police to file the chargesheet, first in December last year and then in February this year. Later, on March 20, it again extended the time required to file the final report by 10 days after noting the submissions of the public prosecutors.

Section 43 D of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) extends the time required to complete the investigation from 90 days to up to 180 days.

The Delhi Police Special Cell had last year registered a case under sections 13, 16, 17, 18 and 22 of the UAPA along with sections 153A (promoting enmity between groups) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code in the matter.

It also arrested NewsClick’s founder Prabir Purkayastha and Human Resources head Amit Chakravarty on October 3, 2023.

In January this year, the present court allowed Mr Chakravarty’s application seeking the court’s permission to turn approver.