The Supreme Court has also agreed to take up the petition filed by NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha on January 30

The Supreme Court on Monday permitted NewsClick human resources department head Amit Chakraborty, who has turned approver before the trial court, to withdraw his plea challenging the Delhi police action to arrest him in a case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) even as it agreed to take up the petition filed by NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha on January 30.
A bench headed by justice BR Gavai passed the order after Chakraborty’s lawyer informed the court that Chakraborty has turned an approver in the case, and he would like to withdraw his petition filed in the top court in October last year. He was arrested along with Purkayastha on October 3 on charges of receiving foreign funds through Chinese firms with an aim to compromise the country’s stability and integrity.
Additional solicitor general (ASG) SV Raju appearing for the Delhi police said, “As far as petitioner (Amit Chakraborty) is concerned, if he wants to withdraw, let him withdraw. As far as the other matter (about Purkayastha) is concerned, it must be re-heard.”
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for Purkayastha requested that his matter be taken up at the earliest as his 73-year-old client has been in jail for over three months.