Big news coming in. Delhi police on Tuesday morning conducted raids at several places associated with news portal NewsClick, including the house of seven journalists associated with NewsClick. A fresh case has been registered against the news portal NewsClick under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The news portal, NewsClick is now under the scanner of the Economic Offences Wing of the Delhi Police and the Enforcement Directorate amid allegations that NewsClick received funds from China.
The Enforcement Directorate had earlier conducted raids at NewsClick premises. These raids are reportedly being carried out in connection with a case registered in August under the stringent UAPA and other sections of the Indian Penal Code. The case invokes multiple sections of the UAPA, such as 13, 16, 17, 18, and 22, and sections 153(a) and 120(b) of the Indian Penal Code.
The raids conducted on figures including journalist Abhisar Sharma, senior journalist Bhasha Singh, veteran journalist Urmilesh, Newsclick editor Prabir Purkayastha, writer Githa Hariharan, journalist Aunindyo Chakravarty, historian Sohail Hashmi, and satirist Sanjay Rajaura. The homes of activist Teesta Setalvad and veteran journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta were also reportedly searched by police.
The Delhi police has also visited the residences of Newsclick employees across various positions. They have also confiscated their electronic devices such as laptops and mobile phones.
The Delhi Police sent their Special Cell teams to the residences of these journalists associated with NewsClick. They have also detained several journalists for questioning.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur has given his statement in this regard. “The probe agencies are independent and they are doing their jobs by following rules.” “I don’t need to justify the raids. If someone has done something wrong, the probe agencies do their job. It’s nowhere written that probe agencies can’t take action if money has come to you from wrong sources or something objectionable has been done.”
The Press Club of India has shown its support for the journalist. In a statement it expressed concern over the raids, stating that they “stand in solidarity with the journalists and demand the government to come out with details”.
Back in August of this year, The New York Times had published an investigative report alleging that NewsClick is among organisations funded by a network tied to US millionaire Neville Roy Singham for pushing Chinese propaganda.
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