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NewsClick slapped with UAPA, houses of several journalists raided
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Amidst allegations of funding coming from a network that promotes Chinese propaganda, the Delhi Police on Tuesday lodged a complaint against NewsClick under the strict anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and raided the houses of several journalists linked to the news portal.
The raids were carried out by officers from the Special cell of the Delhi police. Some journalists were detained for further interrogation, however, no arrests have been made so far. An investigation probing into the funding of the news portal was launched by the Enforcement Directorate. The ED then attached some assets, linking them to the portal.
A New York Times investigation in August claimed that NewsClick is one of the organizations supported by a network tied to US businessman Neville Roy Singham that promotes Chinese propaganda. "These are not new allegations. They have been made in the past. We will respond to them in the appropriate forum, i.e. the court, as the matter is sub judice." said Prabir Purakayastha, NewsClick's editor rubbishing the claims of the said investigation by the New York Times.
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. Although the Delhi High Court granted the promoters of NewsClick protection from arrest, the case is still in court. NewsClick's headquarters were raided back in 2021, owing to a case of alleged tax evasion. Lashing out at the investigating agencies for their heavy crackdown upon NewsClick, the news portal's editor Prabir Purakayastha said, "These investigations by various agencies, and these selective allegations, are attempts to stifle the independent journalism of media organisations - including NewsClick. The Constitution of India under Article 19(1)(a) guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression, a right central to our work."
It is unclear whether the Delhi Police have opened a new investigation in connection to the searches carried out on Tuesday. As per the police, details pertaining to the raids will be divulged in due time.
