Sweeping raids in contradiction of 46 journalists in 50 houses and offices were carried out by over 200 police officials.
Reminiscent moment for all the journalists: The Delhi Police cell detained news portal Newsclick founder and editor-in-chief, Prabir Purkyasatha, and the head of its human resource division, Amit Chakravarty, after day-long searches at over 50 news portals, its workforce, and contributors.
After the pursuits across the National Capital Region and Mumbai, as said by police a total of 46 defendants had been questioned and their digital devices were apprehended. The portal’s office in Delhi has also been sealed by the police.
On the basis of a FIR filed on 17th August by the Enforcement Directorate’s input that Newsclick had allegedly received illegal funding from China, routed through the United States, the action was taken.
The ED had searched Newsclick’s locations in February 2021 as part of its probe into foreign reminiscent.
The FIR was filed under UAPA Sections 13 (unlawful activities), 16 (terrorist act), 17 (raising funds for terrorist acts), 18 (conspiracy), 22(C) (offenses by companies, trusts), along with IPC Sections 153 A (endorsing enmity between different group) and 120B (criminal treachery).
The raid started early morning on Tuesday and was seven to eight hours long. The searches were, across Delhi, Gurgaon, and Mumbai. Numerous journalists, technicians, and contributors associated with Newsclick presently or in the past were interrogated and many of their phones, laptops and other electronic devices were confiscated.
37 male suspects and 9 female suspects have been questioned at their respective places of residence and the devices which were collected from them are sent for examination.
Purkayastha and Chakravarty who were detained for questioning were released in the evening and asked to join the probe on 5-6 October.
Abhisar Sharm, Bhasha Singh, Urmilesh, Aunindiyo Chakravarty, Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Satyam Tiwari, Subodh Verma, cartoonist Irfan, historian Sohail Hashmi, and Satirist Sanjay Rajoura were questioned among those who were combed. Teesta Setalvad’s residence and workplace were also searched.
Thakurta mentioned Nine policemen went to his house around 6:30 a.m. She went to the Delhi Police Special Cell office and gave them all the details like being with Newsclick as a consultant since 2018 and the remuneration started with Rs 1.5 lakhs a month and had a single bank account and they could check all this.
Reminiscent of Intimidation for Journalists
When asked by a source of Newsclick’s funding, Thakurta said he knew nothing, he’s neither a shareholder of the company nor part of the editorial board, he’s only a consultant.
More than one journalist was asked if they covered the Delhi riots, the anti-CAA protest, and the farmers’ protests.
A team also visited CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury’s residence in connection with the case, as his son works with Newsclick.
Newsclick was established in 2009, it was also raided by Indian financial enforcement officials in the year 2021, after which a court blocked the authorities from taking any coercive measures against the website.
As said by opposition lawmaker Mr. Shashi Tharoor on a social media handle it is an action of an insecure and autocratic state not of the mother of democracy.
