NewsClick Row: Prosecution opposes plea for copy of FIR
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police on Thursday opposed the applications filed for the supply of a copy of the FIR by NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and human resources department head Amit Chakravarty, arrested in a case lodged under anti-terror law UAPA following charges that the portal had received money to spread pro-China propaganda.
Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur was hearing the arguments regarding the applications.
During the proceedings, the counsel for Chakravarty also sought written grounds for his client's arrest by the Delhi Police and said providing the grounds for arrest to an accused is a constitutional safeguard.
The lawyer cited some judgments of the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court and said though the offences alleged are "serious" under the UAPA, there is no statutory ground that the prosecution is not obliged to provide a copy of the FIR to the accused.
Appearing through video-conferencing, Purkayastha's lawyer argued that it is the right of an accused to get a copy of the First Information Report (FIR).
Special Public Prosecutor Atul Shrivastava cited a Supreme Court judgment and said the accused has to approach the police commissioner, who would then form a committee regarding the same.
He said the accused has to follow the "step-by-step procedure" prescribed by the apex court. The application filed by the accused is "premature" and they can not "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.
The court has posted the matter at 2 pm for further proceedings.
It issued a notice to the Delhi Police on the applications on Wednesday.
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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Integrity of electoral process severely compromised, Cong to soon launch movement: CWC
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress Working Committee met here on Friday and adopted a resolution alleging the integrity of the entire electoral process was being severely compromised against which the party would soon launch a movement.
In the resolution of the top body of the Congress, the party said free and fair elections is a Constitutional mandate that was being called into "serious question by the partisan functioning of the Election Commission".
The CWC, which met amid the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, said the session has been a washout so far because of the Narendra Modi government's "stubborn refusal" to have an immediate discussion on three pressing national issues -- "the recent revelations regarding corruption by a business group, and the violence in Manipur and Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal".
Asked why the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution does not name the business group, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "The answer is the Adani group".
"The CWC believes the integrity of the entire electoral process is being severely compromised. Free and fair elections is a Constitutional mandate that is being called into serious question by the partisan functioning of the Election Commission.
"Increasing sections of society are becoming frustrated and deeply apprehensive. The Congress will take these up these public concerns as a national movement," the resolution stated.
Addressing a joint press conference along with Ramesh and Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, party general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal said the party discussed the political situation in the country for four-and-half hours and adopted the resolution.
He said the CWC has decided to constitute internal committees to look into electoral performance and organisational matters.
About the Assembly polls results in Maharashtra, Venugopal said the electoral outcome in the state was "beyond normal understanding and it appears to be a clear case of targeted manipulation".
