The Supreme Court of India has ordered the release of NewsClick founder and editor Prabir Purkayastha, who was arrested under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The apex court held that Purkayastha’s arrest and remand were illegal.
The Delhi Police had arrested Purkayastha in a case under the UAPA, alleging that NewsClick received foreign funds in violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) subsequently filed a case against NewsClick for breaching the FCRA.
The Supreme Court, in its order, observed that the Delhi Police had failed to establish a prima facie case against Purkayastha. The court also noted that the arrest and remand of Purkayastha were in violation of the provisions of the UAPA.
The release of Purkayastha is a significant victory for freedom of the press in India. The UAPA has been criticized for being used to target journalists and activists critical of the government. The Supreme Court’s order sends a strong message that the government cannot use the UAPA to silence dissent.
