NewsClick case: Delhi court directs Purkayastha not to tamper with evidence

A Delhi Court on Wednesday directed NewsClick founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha, accused in a case of allegedly receiving money to peddle pro-China propaganda through its stories, to not comment on the merits of the case or tamper with the evidence. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Hardeep Kaur imposed the condition while issuing the release order for Purkayastha in pursuance of the Supreme Court order passed earlier on Wednesday, declaring his arrest in the case as "invalid in the eyes of law". The ASJ directed the accused to submit a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and two sureties of like amount in the case lodged under the anti-terror law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He was arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on October 3. The judge further directed Purkayastha not to contact any witnesses or approver, Amit Chakravarty, in the case. The judge also directed the accused not to leave the country without the prior permission of the court. The