The Supreme Court has ordered the release of Prabir Purkayastha, founder and Editor-in-Chief of NewsClick, who was arrested and detained under the UAPA on charges of Chinese funding to promote anti-national propaganda. The court declared his arrest and subsequent remand to be invalid, granting him relief in his appeal. This comes after recent developments where the Delhi High Court also ordered the release of another NewsClick employee and approver in the case, Amit Chakravarty, citing medical reasons and the lack of prosecution objection. The Delhi Police has alleged that the news portal received money from China to disrupt India's sovereignty and influence various events, but the court has deemed the allegations as insufficient to justify the arrests.
UAPA: A Deeper Dive into the Controversial Law and Recent Developments
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), enacted in 1967, is a stringent law designed to prevent and combat terrorist activities. It empowers law enforcement agencies to apprehend and detain individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism-related offenses. However, the law has come under scrutiny for its potential misuse and the broad scope of its definitions.
Recent Developments: Prabir Purkayastha's Release
Recently, the Supreme Court ordered the release of Prabir Purkayastha, founder and Editor-in-Chief of NewsClick, who was arrested under UAPA on charges of receiving Chinese funding to promote anti-national propaganda. The court ruled that his arrest and subsequent detention were invalid, citing insufficient evidence. This decision came after the Delhi High Court also ordered the release of Amit Chakravarty, another NewsClick employee, on medical and procedural grounds.
Allegations Against NewsClick
The Delhi Police had alleged that NewsClick received money from China to disrupt India's sovereignty and influence various events. However, the courts have found the evidence presented to be insufficient to justify the arrests.
Past Controversies and Misuse
The UAPA has been criticized for its potential misuse in the past. In 2018, five human rights activists were arrested under the law on charges of conspiring to overthrow the government. The arrests sparked widespread protests and allegations of political witch-hunt.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What does UAPA stand for? Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
2. What is the purpose of UAPA? To prevent and combat terrorist activities
3. Why is UAPA controversial? It has been criticized for its potential misuse and broad definitions
4. What were the charges against Prabir Purkayastha? Receiving Chinese funding to promote anti-national propaganda
5. Why was Purkayastha released by the Supreme Court? The court found the evidence presented insufficient to justify his arrest and detention
Conclusion
The UAPA remains a complex and controversial law. While it is necessary to have a framework to address terrorism, it is crucial to ensure that the law is not misused or abused for political purposes. Recent developments, such as the release of Prabir Purkayastha, highlight the need for careful scrutiny and a balance between national security and individual rights.
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With the Jhunjhunu bypoll results set to be announced on November 23, 2024, the race is on to see who will be elected as the next Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from this important Assembly constituency in Rajasthan. With a total of 11 candidates in the fray, including big names from major political parties like the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the stakes are high. In the previous election, INC's Brijendra Singh Ola emerged victorious, but with many new candidates vying for the seat, it remains to be seen who will come out on top in 2024. Stay updated with live result updates on the day of the bypoll to find out who will win and who will lose.
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