Exercise Caution, Restraint In Deliberate, Regressive War Against Media Houses It Doesn't Agree With: DIGIPUB To Government On Supreme Court’s Order On Prabir Purkayastha

DIGIPUB, an independent digital-only news association, welcomed the Supreme Court“s decision today that the arrest and remand of NewsClick editor Prabir Purkayastha are illegal, and that he must be immediately released.

The association in a statement urged the government to exercise caution and restraint in its deliberate and regressive war against media houses it doesn”t agree with. We hope Prabir is released immediately and that he is given a fair trial in accordance with the law.

DIGIPUB statement:

“DIGIPUB welcomes the Supreme Court”s decision today that the arrest and remand of NewsClick editor Prabir Purkayastha are illegal, and that he must be immediately released.

After his arrest in October 2023, Prabir was not provided with a copy of the remand application before passing the remand order. The Supreme Court said it was surprised at the Delhi police”s “hot haste” in producing Prabir before a magistrate without even informing his lawyer.

DIGIPUB has consistently condemned the police and agency action against NewsClick, where journalists were interrogated, their devices seized, and their homes raided, culminating in Prabir”s arrest last year. In a democracy, a government cannot unleash central agencies against the free press, especially in the absence of due process. Laws must not be weaponised against journalists, putting their life, liberty and livelihood at risk.

We are glad and grateful that the Supreme Court has finally intervened. We urge the government to exercise caution and restraint in its deliberate and regressive war against media houses it doesn”t agree with. We hope Prabir is released immediately and that he is given a fair trial in accordance with the law.”