The Supreme Court has ordered the release of NewsClick Editor Prabir Purkayastha after hearing his plea challenging his arrest by the Delhi Police in a case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta declared the arrest void due to the absence of a remand copy, stating that this invalidated the arrest. Purkayastha's release will be based on the trial court's satisfaction upon the furnishing of bail bonds.

The Supreme Court deemed Purkayastha's arrest and remand under UAPA null and void, ordering his immediate release on bail following the filing of the chargesheet in the case. The trial court will set bail surety conditions accordingly.

This decision comes after the Supreme Court questioned the Delhi Police's failure to inform Purkayastha's lawyer beforehand, criticizing the rush in producing him before the magistrate without prior notice.

The chargesheet filed by the Delhi Police Special Cell against Prabir Purkayastha alleges his involvement in terrorist acts, unlawful activities, fundraising for terrorist activities, and conspiracy. Purkayastha is also accused of conspiring with Neville Roy Singham and others to criticize the Indian government's Covid-19 containment efforts and publish articles against vaccines manufactured by Indian pharmaceutical companies.