The day-long search by Delhi Police was followed by the arrest of
NewsClick founder-cum-editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha and Human Resource head
Amit Chakravarty under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The founder of the portal was earlier brought to the Delhi Police
special cell office for questioning in connection with the case under the
anti-terror law following the allegations that the portal received funds for
pro-China propaganda.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Police personnel carried out raids in
houses of several journalists associated with the news portal and seized a
number of their electronic devices as evidence including laptops, mobile phones
and hard disks.
As per the police officials, a total of 46 suspects have been inquired
in connection to the case at different locations. The case under the UAPA and
different Sections of the Indian Penal Code were filed on August 17.
“A total of 37 male suspects have been questioned at premises, 9
female suspects have been questioned at their respective places of stay and
digital devices, documents etc have been seized/collected for examination,” said
Delhi Police.
As per reports, a list of 25 questions on multiple matter, which
included details of foreign travels, protest against the Citizenship
(Amendment) Act and farmer’s agitation were posed at the journalists.
Previously, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had raided many premises
linked with the firm to figure out sources of the funding.
According to officials, the special cell is carrying out searches
on the basis of inputs provided by the central probe agency.
NewsClick came under scanner after a report by The New York Times
said the firm allegedly received money from US billionaire Neville Roy Singham,
who is known for pushing campaigns backing China and its propaganda. Singham has
close relations with Chinese Government’s media machine.
The Editors Guild of India expressed ‘deep concerns’ regarding the
incident. Meanwhile, Union Minister Anurag Thakur defended the raids by saying
there must have been some evidence or complaint related to the case.
NE Watch Desk
