Delhi Police Raid Houses of Journalists Linked to NewsClick Amid Alleged Chinese Links
The Delhi Police Special Cell conducted raids on Tuesday at the residences of journalists and employees associated with NewsClick, following allegations of the news portal’s connections with China. The extensive operation spanned over 30 locations in Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad.
The Delhi Police Special Cell has registered a case against NewsClick under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). During the raids, the police seized electronic evidence, including laptops and mobile phones, and extracted data from hard disks.
Background
Prior to this raid, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had already filed a case against NewsClick, accusing the news portal of receiving foreign funding in violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). The ED alleged that this money was utilized for anti-national activities.
A report by The New York Times suggested that NewsClick was a part of a global network funded by American billionaire Neville Roy Singham, with the purpose of spreading Chinese propaganda. This action by the central probe agency against NewsClick is the first of its kind targeting a media organization.
During the investigation, the ED discovered a series of email exchanges between Newsclick Director Prabir Purkayastha, various journalists, and Neville Roy Singham, as well as Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders like Prakash Karat.
The ED alleged that Neville Roy Singham, currently residing in China, provided illegal funding of Rs 38 crore to Newsclick in order to promote pro-China information in India. It is further claimed that Prabir Purkayastha and his associate journalists engaged in writing and publishing paid news on their website in exchange for periodic funds from Singham’s company, PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt. Ltd.
Summary:
- The Delhi Police Special Cell conducted raids on the houses of journalists and employees associated with NewsClick due to the news portal’s alleged Chinese links.
- A large-scale operation was carried out at over 30 locations in Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad.
- The Delhi Police Special Cell registered a case against NewsClick under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
- The raids resulted in the seizure of electronic evidence, including laptops and mobile phones, and data extraction from hard disks.
- The Enforcement Directorate had previously filed a case against NewsClick, accusing them of receiving foreign funding in violation of FCRA.
- The ED alleged that the money was used for anti-national activities.
- A New York Times report claimed that NewsClick was part of a global network funded by Neville Roy Singham to spread Chinese propaganda.
- The investigation revealed email exchanges between Newsclick Director Prabir Purkayastha, journalists, Neville Roy Singham, and CPI(M) leaders.
- The ED alleged that Neville Roy Singham gave Newsclick Rs 38 crore illegally to promote pro-China information in India.
- Newsclick Director Prabir Purkayastha and his associate journalists are accused of publishing paid news on their website in exchange for funds from Singham’s company.
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