03-10-2023 : On a Tuesday morning, the Special Cell of the Delhi Police carried out raids at the premises of the online news portal, NewsClick, and the residences of its journalists, sparking outrage within the journalistic community. This development comes in the wake of an ongoing investigation into the funding sources of NewsClick, with the Enforcement Directorate having previously conducted raids at the company’s facilities.
The Special Cell’s actions were prompted by information provided by the central agency, and a new case has been registered as part of their investigation. During these raids, Delhi Police seized laptops and mobile phones belonging to several journalists associated with NewsClick. While some journalists were brought to the Lodhi Road Special Cell office for questioning, no arrests have been made as of yet.
Prominent journalist Abhisar Sharma expressed his ordeal, stating on social media, “Delhi police landed at my home. Taking away my laptop and phone.” Similarly, journalist Bhasha Singh reported, “Finally, the last tweet from this phone. Delhi police seizure (sic) my phone.”
The Press Club of India voiced deep concern over the raids conducted on the homes of journalists and writers affiliated with NewsClick. They emphasized their solidarity with these journalists and writers and called upon the government to provide detailed information regarding the raids.
In August, the Delhi High Court sought the response of NewsClick’s Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Prabir Purkayastha, in response to a plea by the city police seeking the vacation of an earlier order that granted him interim protection from arrest in a case related to unlawful foreign funding.
NewsClick had previously made headlines due to allegations of receiving funds from US millionaire Neville Roy Singham for promoting pro-China propaganda in India. The claims were based on an investigation by The New York Times. Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur also weighed in, asserting that the money trail associated with NewsClick revealed an “anti-India agenda.”