Delhi HC orders release of NewsClick employee who turned approver
On January 9, a city court granted pardon to Amit Chakraborty, the news website’s human resources head, after he agreed to act as a government witness.
The Delhi High Court on Monday ordered the release of Newsclick’s human resources head Amit Chakraborty, nearly four months after he was granted pardon in a case filed against the news website, The Indian Express reported.
Chakraborty was granted pardon on January 9 after a Delhi court allowed him to turn approver – or act as a government witness – in the case, which has been filed under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on Monday noted that the prosecution had told the High Court that it had no objection to Chakraborty being released from judicial custody. The prosecution told the court that he had already recorded his statement before a magistrate in which he narrated the “true facts” about the matter.
Justice Sharma added that Chakraborty uses a wheelchair and that his medical condition called for special consideration and a humane approach, Live Law reported. She directed his release on a personal bond of Rs 25,000 and a surety of the same amount.
The judge told Chakraborty to appear before the trial court whenever directed, and not to leave the country without the trial court’s permission.
Chakraborty, along with NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha, was arrested on October 3 when the Delhi Police raided several journalists associated with the website.
The case
The Delhi Police on March 30 filed a chargesheet against Purkayastha and news...
