Delhi HC grants pre-arrest bail to NewsClick chief

New Delhi: Delhi high court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to NewsClick founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha, who was booked on charges of receiving money to peddle pro-China propaganda through his news portal.

The HC relief for Purkayastha came in two separate investigations - one by Delhi Police's economic offences wing (EOW) into claims of unlawful foreign funding, and the other by ED in the alleged money laundering case. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna's order granting anticipatory bail came on a bunch of applications filed by Purkayastha. The court also granted relief to NewsClick director Pranjal Pandey in the foreign funding case filed by EOW. In 2021, the HC had first extended interim protection from arrest to Purkayastha and Pandey in the cases.

According to the FIR registered by EOW, NewsClick received foreign direct investment to the tune of Rs 9.6 crore from Worldwide Media Holdings LLC USA during the financial year 2018-19 in violation of the relevant law. Police alleged large-scale violation of regulations by the portal by way of overvaluing of shares, diversion of funds and violation of FDI laws.


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