File Prabir Purkayastha image. | PHOTO CREDIT: SUDHAKARA JAIN
The High Court in Delhi on Wednesday (July 23, 2025) awarded the predictor of the founder NewSclick and the editor -in -chief of Prabir Purkayastha in two separate cases, including one filed Delhi over alleged foreign financing.
The justice of Neena Bansal Krishna also expanded his relief to Mr. Purkayasth in the case of money washing, which was investigated by the Directorate of Recovery (ED).
The Court noted that the cases were registered in 2020, but even in the predicate crime, no accusations were concluded.
“There is also nothing that suggests that the applicant has been called since 2023 to join the investigation. The applicant is a decent man, about 75 years of age, with roots in society. Evidence is basically documentary in nature and there is no probability that he can prove or influence witnesses.”
The court also awarded the foreshadowing of the NewSclika director Pranjal Pandey in the case of a registered wing of economic offenses of the Police in Delhi.
Police Information Report in Delhi (Fir) claimed that PPK NewSclick Studio Private Limited received direct foreign investment (FDI) 9.59 GBP Crore from Worldwide Media Holdings, USA, during the 2018-19 financial year.
The company claimed that the investment was carried out by significantly overvalued shares of the petitioner to avoid the alleged ceiling of 26% of direct foreign investments on the digital news website.
Furthermore, more than 45% of this investment was diverted or postponed to payments for payments/advice, rent and other expenses that were allegedly possible for side motifs.
Ed launched its probe based on the Police in Delhi and searched for NewSclick and several other places in connection with the money they allegedly received from overseas.
In 2021, in connection with cases, the court expanded preliminary protection against arrest for Mr. Purkayastha and Mr. Pandey.
Mr. Purkayastha was arrested separately on October 3, 2023 by a special cell of the Police in Delhi in another case under the Act on Unlawful Activities (Prevention). On May 24, 2024, however, the Supreme Court declared the arrest of Mr. Purkayastha illegal and ordered his release.
Published – 23 July 2025 9:06
