NewsClick row: Court allows application of Purkayastha, HR head for supply of FIR copy
New Delhi (PTI): A Delhi court on Thursday allowed the applications of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and human resources head Amit Chakravarty, arrested in a case lodged under anti-terror law UAPA over allegations that the news portal received money to spread pro-China propaganda, seeking a copy of the FIR.
Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur directed the city police to provide the duo with a copy of the FIR, citing a 2016 order of the Supreme Court and a 2010 order of the Delhi High Court.
Allowing the applications, ASJ Kaur directed the Investigating Officer (IO) concerned to furnish the certified copy of the FIR "as per law" to the accused.
During the proceedings on Thursday, Chakravarty's advocate argued that though the offences alleged against his client under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were "serious", there were no statutory grounds for the prosecution to deny him a copy of the FIR.
Purkayastha's counsel, Advocate Arshdeep Singh Khurana, claimed it was the accused's right to get a copy of the FIR.
Special Public Prosecutor Atul Shrivastava vehemently opposed the applications, saying the case was "sensitive" and the investigation was still at an initial stage.
He cited a Supreme Court judgment to say in case of an accused not being provided a copy of FIR because of its "sensitive nature," the accused has to first approach the police commissioner, who would then form a committee within eight weeks to consider the request. The SPP said the accused must follow the "step-by-step procedure" prescribed by the apex court.
The application filed by the accused was "premature" and they cannot "directly jump before the court", Shrivastava added.
"We have already provided the grounds for arrest and the reasons for further remand. We have already complied with the provisions," he said.
Citing the remand application, the SPP said the accused undermined the unity and territorial integrity of the country, besides engaging in a discussion regarding a map of India without Kashmir and showing Arunachal Pradesh as a disputed area. The accused received Rs 115 crore in the guise of foreign funding, he said.
Purkayastha and Chakravarty were arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on Tuesday. Police have sealed NewsClick's office in Delhi.
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Unruly scenes witnessed in Punjab Assembly
Chandigarh (PTI): The Punjab Assembly on Friday witnessed high drama on Friday after Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira made an allegedly objectionable remark against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during an intense argument over the alleged use of mobile phone in the house by the legislator.
During the one-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha here, Mann accused Khaira of using a mobile phone when Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan was reading out an official resolution on the revision of wages.
After rising from his seat, the chief minister pointed to the speaker, claiming that Khaira is busy on his mobile phone and urged him to ask the Congress MLA what Sandhwan had said about the resolution.
The speaker then asked Khaira to maintain order in the house and listen to the resolution carefully.
Mann then asked Khaira, "Why don't you go out and then use it (mobile phone)," which led to a strong verbal altercation during which the opposition MLA hurled an accusation against the chief minister. Meanwhile, the speaker appealed for order and insisted that the chair be addressed.
However, both Mann and Khaira continued arguing and could be seen pointing fingers at each other as the proceedings of the house were disrupted.
The AAP MLAs also rose from their seats with Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema condemning Khaira for his conduct and demanded action against him.
Cheema further alleged that Khaira "always tries to disturb the house" as he spoke about his conduct in the assembly.
The incident occurred as an official resolution on the revision of wages was presented at the special session by Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond who said it paid homage to labourers on the International Workers' Day.
"Workers are the axis of construction of the nation, the community, the state and society. Every construction project succeeds only through their blood and sweat," the resolution read.
As per the resolution, "The base rate of minimum wages for the working class in Punjab was last revised in the year 2012. Although the dearness allowance has continued to increase since 2012, there has been no increase in the base rate of minimum wages.
On this sacred occasion of May Day, in this special session of the legislative assembly, this house proposes to revise and increase the minimum wages of labourers and strongly recommends to the government to take a decision regarding the increase of minimum wages for workers, so that the contributions of the workers can be acknowledged." PRK
