Journalists linked to NewsClick raided by cops in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad
Delhi Police Special Cell on Tuesday raided the houses of journalists and employees linked to NewsClick amid the news portal’s alleged Chinese links.
A large scale raid is being carried out by the Delhi Police Special Cell at over 30 locations in Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad. The Delhi Police Special Cell has registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
During the raid, the Special Cell of Delhi Police seized electronic evidence including laptops, mobile phones and took data dumps of hard disks. The searches by the Delhi Police are based on the input shared by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), indicating unlawful activities by the suspects.
An investigation by ED had revealed fraudulent infusion of foreign fund of Rs 38.05 crore during a short span of three years. The scrutiny of the evidence by the ED revealed questionable infusion of foreign inward remittance of Rs 9.59 crore by way of FDI and Rs 28.46 crore by way of export of services.
The funds so received were distributed to several controversial journalists, including Gautam Navlakha and associates of Teestha Setalvad. Details regarding China link were also shared by the ED with Delhi Police.
BACKGROUND
Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had registered a case against the news portal, alleging that NewsClick received foreign funding in violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
The agency had also alleged that the money was used for anti-national activities.
A New York Times report claimed that the outlet was part of a global network that received funding from American billionaire, Neville Roy Singham, to “spread Chinese propaganda”.
The central probe agency’s action against digital news website NewsClick — first against any media firm — uncovered the alleged involvement of the site in peddling pro-China information in a news format.
As per sources, in the probe, the agency found a series of email exchanges between Newsclick Director Prabir Purkayastha with various journalists along with millionaire Neville Roy Singham, and CPI(M) leaders like Prakash Karat.
ED indicated that Neville Roy Singham, who stays in China, gave NewClick Rs 38 crore illegally to peddle pro-China information in India.
Newsclick Director Prabir Purkayastha and his associate journalists are also accused of writing and publishing paid news on their website in exchange for periodical funds given by Singham to PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt. Ltd.