New Delhi: The Supreme Court has ordered the release of NewsClick editor Prabir Burkayast, saying the Delhi Police’s arrest was illegal under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
A bench comprising Justices P.R. Kawai and Sandeep Mehta held that a copy of the remand record in the case was not issued and quashed his arrest.
“The court has no doubt that the reasons for the detention were not stated, which prevented the arrest. The petitioner in the Pankaj Bansal case is entitled to release from custody. The remand order is void,” Justice Mehta said.
Mr Burkayastha was arrested on October 3 under the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, days after a New York Times investigation alleged that NewsClick received funds from a Chinese propaganda network.
In March, the Delhi Police charged NewsClick and Mr. Burkayastha with supporting terrorism and promoting Chinese propaganda in an 8,000-page charge sheet, including annexures.