Delhi High Court Extends Interim Protection From Arrest To Newsclick Founder Till December 17 In Foreign Funding Case

The Delhi High Court on Thursday extended the interim protection from arrest granted to Newsclick Founder and Editor In Chief Prabir Purkayastha in connection with a foreign funding case till December 17, the next date of hearing.

A status report filed by the Delhi Police was taken on record on Thursday. According to the Status Report, it has been stated that the reply received by RBI mentions that there was no delay in issue of shares as well as reporting, as per the FEMA regulations in case of M/s PPK New Click Studio Pvt. Limited.

During the course of the hearing on Thursday, Justice Yogesh Khanna asked the Delhi Police as to why Purkayastha's custodial interrogation was required when there was a prima facie favourable view for him by the RBI.

The Investigating Officer and the Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the State however submitted that the investigation was still going on and that they were seeking replies from various institutions, from where remittances were sent.

"Let the needful be done prior to the next date. List on 17.12.2021. Interim order to continue." The Court ordered.

Meanwhile, interim protection from arrest granted to Newsclick director Pranjal Pandey is also extended in connection with the FIR.

The allegations in the FIR registered by the Economic Offences Wing of the Delhi Police is that PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt Ltd had received foreign direct investment by overvaluing the share to avoid the 26% cap of FDI requirement. The estimated FDI amount is ₹9.59 crore. 

On July 7, the Court while granting interim protection from arrest to Purkayasth also directed him to join the investigation.

Title: PRABIR PURKAYASTHA v. STATE OF NCT OF DELHI

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