Delhi Police Oppose Request for FIR Copy by NewsClick Founder and HR Head

Delhi Police have objected to applications by NewsClick founder-editor Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakravarty, who were arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), seeking a copy of the FIR, deeming it premature. The police argue that the accused should first approach the police commissioner, who would then form a committee regarding the request. Additionally, a Supreme Court judgment was cited, asserting that the accused must follow a step-by-step procedure before directly approaching the court.

The court had granted the accused the right to meet their lawyer and receive a copy of the remand order on a previous occasion. The arrests followed allegations of promoting Chinese propaganda after a New York Times investigation accused NewsClick of receiving funding from a network linked to US millionaire Neville Roy Singham.