Editors of NewsClick File Petition to Have FIR Dismissed on Accusations of Pro-China Propaganda

The editor-in-chief of NewsClick, Prabir Purkayastha, and the head of human resources, Amit Chakravarty, have approached the Delhi High Court to seek the cancellation of the FIR filed against them by the Delhi Police’s special cell. The FIR claims that they received money for promoting pro-China propaganda. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal stressed the urgency of the matter and requested the court to schedule a hearing on the same day. The court agreed to hear the case and set the date for the following Friday. Earlier in the week, Purkayastha and Chakravarty were arrested by the Delhi Police, leading to the sealing of the NewsClick office in Delhi. The portal has been accused of accepting funds to spread pro-China content. In a separate development, a trial court in Delhi ordered the police to provide the accused with a copy of the FIR, based on previous court orders confirming their right to access these details.