The Supreme Court has ordered the immediate release of Prabir Purkayastha, editor of NewsClick, after annulling his arrest under the stringent UAPA law.
Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta ruled the arrest invalid due to the absence of a remand copy, which is a legal requirement. They also noted that the arrest was made without proper adherence to due process.
The court directed that Purkayastha be released upon furnishing bail bonds and meeting any conditions set by the trial court. This decision came after hearing Purkayastha's plea challenging his arrest by the Delhi Police in 2023.
The Supreme Court's ruling invalidates both Purkayastha's arrest and remand, as the court found that the authorities had not followed the proper legal procedures. The court's decision upholds the principles of due process and ensures that individuals are not arbitrarily detained.
Purkayastha's immediate release on bail is a positive development, highlighting the importance of judicial oversight in safeguarding the rights of citizens.