NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha arrested by the Delhi Police under UAPA

Founder of NewsClick, Prabir Purkayastha has been arrested by the Delhi Police under the stringent UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act). The Delhi Police on Tuesday raided the houses of past and present journalists and contributors associated with the news portal NewsClick amidst the allegation of the portal’s funds coming from a network that promotes Chinese propaganda.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Delhi Police raided the homes of journalists associated with NewsClick, their phones and laptops were reportedly seized. Several of them were called to the Lodhi Road Special Cell Office for further questioning. The founder and editor of NewsClick, Prabir Purakayastha was arrested in the evening. The police have also arrested the HR of the news portal, Amit Chakravarty.

"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 for examination. The proceedings are still ongoing; so far, two accused, Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakravarty have been arrested," reported NDTV.

A New York Times report published in August claimed that NewsClick is an organization that is supported by a network tied to US businessman Neville Roy Singham that promotes Chinese propaganda. The FIR lodged in August purportedly has its roots in the aforementioned investigative report. NewsClick and its funding came under heavy scrutiny in 2021 when the Economic Offences Wing of the Delhi Police filed a case against it. This case served as the foundation for the Enforcement Directorate lawsuit. The news portal’s headquarter was also raided for tax evasion in the same year.