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.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her distress and offered heartfelt condolences to the families of devotees who lost their lives in a stampede at Tirupati on Thursday. She also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and urged for better crowd management at religious places. The stampede occurred on Wednesday night as devotees were jostling for tickets at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam.
Greenland, the world's largest island, has been in the news for its melting glaciers and concerns about climate change. However, its strategic importance has also caught the attention of leaders like President Trump who recently expressed interest in purchasing the island. This is not a new idea, as previous presidents have also considered acquiring Greenland due to its location, potential energy resources, and role in the Arctic region. This article explores the history of this proposition and the current geopolitical considerations surrounding Greenland.
The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the Central Bureau of Investigation's appeal against the acquittal of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and four others in the murder case of former sect manager Ranjit Singh. The case, which has seen multiple twists and turns, has been referred to Justice Bela M. Trivedi's bench, which is already hearing a related petition filed by the victim's father. The CBI has argued that Ram Rahim orchestrated the murder after suspecting Singh of leaking an anonymous letter accusing him of sexual misconduct. The case has attracted widespread public attention due to Ram Rahim's involvement and frequent paroles from prison.
As Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule voices the public demand for Minister Dhananjay Munde's resignation, a petition filed in the Bombay High Court by Dhananjay Deshmukh, brother of the murdered sarpanch, is withdrawn. The petition had alleged that Munde was linked to a criminal syndicate involved in the murder of his sibling in 2024. Sule cites a precedent in which a former Maharashtra CM resigned over a scam, calling for similar sensitivity towards this case.
The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025, with voting to take place on February 5 and counting of votes on February 8. The recent release of the final electoral roll shows a 1.09 per cent increase in the number of voters since the last draft. CEC Rajiv Kumar addressed concerns over EVMs and the election procedure, asserting the transparency and credibility of the Indian election process. The AAP, BJP and Congress are gearing up for a three-way battle, with the AAP currently in the lead after sweeping 2020 Delhi elections.
With the Delhi Assembly elections just around the corner, AICC Delhi in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin believes that the Congress party will successfully appeal to voters by focusing on key issues affecting citizens. He emphasized that the party only makes promises that have been fulfilled in Congress-ruled states and will prioritize cleaning the Yamuna, improving women's safety, reducing corruption, and addressing unemployment, all of which have been neglected by the current AAP government.
The BJP has refuted Delhi CM Atishi's accusation that her official residence was taken away by the Centre, stating that the allotment was withdrawn for her failure to take possession and ongoing CBI/ED investigation. The AAP leader, however, remains undeterred and vows to work for the people of Delhi even if it means operating from the streets. Delhi's 2025 election poll schedule has also been announced, with voting to take place on February 5 and results on February 8.
During a news conference in Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Trump believes that the new name has a "beautiful ring" and is more appropriate, especially given the current state of relations between the US and Mexico. While this isn't the first time renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America has been proposed, Trump's announcement has caused controversy and garnered attention.
The nation bids farewell to former President Jimmy Carter as his funeral procession takes place from the U.S. Navy Memorial to the Capitol in Washington D.C. The event was attended by many political figures and members of the public, paying their respects to the late President. Despite the solemn atmosphere, the streets were lined with people celebrating Carter's life and legacy.
Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan has released the draft guidelines for the UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025. These new regulations aim to bring flexibility, inclusivity, and excellence in faculty recruitment and career progression in Indian higher education institutions. They also align with the goals of the New Education Policy-2020 (NEP-2020) and place emphasis on Indian languages and interdisciplinary backgrounds. Additionally, the guidelines include specialized recruitment pathways for fields such as Yoga, Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Sculpture, and Drama to attract the best talent and preserve India's cultural heritage.