Tue. Feb 18th, 2025

New Delhi: Journalist Prabir Purkayastha, founder of NewsClick, and the HR head of the news portal, Amit Chakravarty, have been arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. This comes after a New York Times investigation alleged that NewsClick had received funding from a network promoting Chinese propaganda.

Searches were conducted at 20-odd locations across Delhi-NCR, including the homes of journalists linked with NewsClick. This has sparked protests from the opposition, who see it as a crackdown on press freedom.

According to a source from the Delhi Police, a total of 37 male suspects and 9 female suspects have been questioned, and digital devices and documents have been seized for examination. The investigation is still ongoing, but so far, Purkayastha and Chakravarty have been arrested.

The Enforcement Directorate, which investigates financial frauds, believes that NewsClick received approximately Rs 38 crore from entities with alleged links to China. This money was allegedly used to pay the salaries of eight journalists. Today’s raids targeted at least 10 journalists associated with NewsClick.

Sources in the Delhi Police claim that the funds were used to influence pro-China content on NewsClick. They further revealed that Rs 29 crore was received as fees for export services, while Rs 9 crore was received as foreign direct investment through inflated share prices.

The Editors Guild of India, a non-profit organization of journalists, has called on the government to follow due process and not use criminal laws as tools for press intimidation. They express concern that these raids may be an attempt to muzzle the media and emphasize that while the law must take its course, it should not impinge on freedom of expression and the raising of dissenting voices.

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By admin