Supreme Court Declares Arrest of NewsClick Founder “Invalid”

New Delhi, India - In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court on Wednesday declared the arrest of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha as “invalid”. The court has directed for his immediate release from custody.

The order was issued by a bench comprising of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta. The bench ruled that the arrest of Purkayastha under the anti-terror law was not valid.

NewsClick, a popular news portal, had come under scrutiny after allegations surfaced that it had received substantial funds from China. The funds were allegedly used to “disrupt the sovereignty of India” and cause disaffection against the country, according to the First Information Report (FIR).

The FIR also alleged that Purkayastha conspired with a group known as the People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS). The group was accused of sabotaging the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The Supreme Court’s decision to declare the arrest as “invalid” is seen as a significant development in the case. The court’s directive for the immediate release of Purkayastha is expected to be executed promptly.

This case has drawn significant attention, raising questions about the freedom of the press and the use of anti-terror laws. The Supreme Court’s judgement is likely to be a reference point in similar cases in the future.

Further details of the judgement are awaited. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.