New Delhi: Former Union finance minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram welcomed the Supreme Court’s judgment pronouncing the arrest of the NewsClick founder invalid, saying that justice has triumphed.
“NewsClick founder was arrested on October 3, 2023. The Supreme Court ruled today that his arrest was illegal. Justice will ultimately triumph and it has today,” Mr Chidambaram said in a post on X on Wednesday.
“Who will be held responsible for the illegal arrest? Who will pay the penalty for depriving the journalist of his freedom for over 7 months?” the Congress leader asked in the post.
NewsClick founder was arrested on October 3, 2023. The Supreme Court ruled today that his arrest was illegal
Justice will ultimately triumph and it has today
Who will be held responsible for the illegal arrest?
Who will pay the penalty for depriving the journalist of his…
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) May 15, 2024
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court declared the arrest and subsequent remand of NewsClick founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha invalid.
Mr Purkayastha was arrested by Delhi Police in connection with a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on October 3, 2023. The Supreme Court ordered that Mr Purkayastha be released, subject to him furnishing surety and bail bond.
The bench, in its verdict, took into account that a copy of the remand application and grounds of arrest were not provided to Mr Purkayastha, which violated principles of natural justice.