07-10-2023 : The investigation into the operations of NewsClick, the online news portal that has been accused of having links with Chinese entities, has extended its reach from Delhi to Kerala. In a significant development, a team from the Delhi Police conducted a raid on the home of Anusha Paul, a former employee of NewsClick, located in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala.
During the raid, a three-member team recorded Anusha Paul’s statement and also confiscated her mobile phone and laptop, as per reports. Anusha, who previously worked as a videographer for NewsClick, was further instructed to return to Delhi and appear before the police at the earliest. She was visiting her maternal home in Kodumon, Kerala, at the time of the raid.
After the incident, Anusha Paul spoke with reporters and revealed that she was questioned about her affiliations with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M). Specifically, the Delhi Police inquired if she was acquainted with K.M. Tiwari, the Delhi state secretary of the CPI(M). Anusha, who also serves as a state committee member of the Delhi unit of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), characterized the raids as a “witch-hunt” targeting journalists who have raised their voices against the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During the questioning, Anusha faced inquiries related to her work covering topics such as the farmers’ protests, opposition to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), as well as the Modi government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Delhi Police had initiated an FIR against NewsClick, alleging that a substantial sum of money had been received from China and that the portal had deliberately promoted “paid news.” The case was registered under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act or UAPA. As a result, Prabir Purkayastha, the founder of NewsClick, and Amit Chakravarthy, the head of human resources, were arrested in connection with these allegations.
The FIR further stated that NewsClick had intentionally disseminated “paid news,” criticizing India’s domestic policies and development projects while endorsing and defending policies and initiatives of the Chinese government.
In a significant turn of events, the Delhi Police conducted raids at over 80 locations in Delhi on Tuesday, pertaining to this case as per reports. Furthermore, 46 journalists and contributors associated with NewsClick were subjected to questioning, with their mobile phones and electronic devices seized during the investigation.