NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha’s health conditions will be examined by an independent medical board at Delhi’s AIIMS, the Supreme Court directed the government hospital today, Livelaw reported. 

The court noted that if rape convict Asaram Babu “keeps getting medical treatment at AIIMS”, the NewsClick founder could as well. It asked the board to submit the medical report within two weeks. 

Purkayastha, who has been in Tihar jail in a UAPA case since October last year, had moved the top court for interim medical bail. His counsel Kapil Sibal submitted that the prison authorities’ report about his medical condition does not include the “situation he is confronted with in jail, which is on the record”.

On Additional Solicitor General SV Raju’s request for a “pass-over” today, Sibal said Purkayastha “should not pass away while you ask for a pass-over…If the state has some problem with finances, we'll take care of it. I can personally contribute to the state.”

The bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta said, “It is submitted that [prison authorities’] report does not show the true medical condition of the petitioner. It is submitted that the record will reveal the report is not correct…It will be appropriate that the medical condition is examined by a board appointed by the AIIMS Director. The board shall also consider the jail records, complete medical history of the petitioner.”

Background of the case

NewsClick was raided by the Enforcement Directorate in February 2021 in a “money laundering case pertaining to foreign funding”. In September 2021, it was the subject of a “survey” by the Income Tax department. Newslaundry was simultaneously the target of a similar I-T “survey” too.

In August 2023, the New York Times alleged that NewsClick was among Chinese propaganda outlets funded by American tech mogul Neville Roy Singham. Singham subsequently said the NYT report was an “innuendo-laden hit piece”.

In October, the Delhi police searched the homes of multiple journalists with ties to the organisation in connection with a fresh case filed under the UAPA. Their electronic devices were seized. 

The police also arrested Purkayastha and NewsClick HR head Amit Chakraborty. The FIR in the case, which also named incarcerated activist Gautam Navlakha, stated that Purkayastha, Chakraborty and Singham had allegedly discussed “how to create a map of India without Kashmir and to show Arunachal Pradesh as a disputed area”.

A trial court remanded Purkayastha and Chakraborty to police custody – a decision that was subsequently upheld by the Delhi High Court. Their judicial custody was also extended.

In November, the Enforcement Directorate summoned Singham in the case. The Delhi police sought “financial” details of five companies linked to him in a letter to the US authorities.

In December, NewsClick’s bank accounts were frozen. The news outlet called the action an “administrative-legal siege” and said it has been unable to make any bank payments since the evening of December 18. 

In January, Chakraborty was allowed to turn approver in the case. In an application seeking pardon, Chakravarty claimed he was in possession of “material information” and was willing to disclose it to the Delhi police.

NewsClick has repeatedly denied the charges against it. 

Newslaundry has reported on the police and agency action against NewsClick from the start. Check out our reportage here.

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