Delhi Police raid journalists linked to media outlet NewsClick over China funding allegations

Delhi Police special cell conducted searches in the residence of several journalists linked to the media outlet NewsClick Tuesday in connection with allegations that the organisation received funding from China.

Large-scale raids are being carried out in Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad. During the raids, the police seized several pieces of electronic evidence including laptops and mobile phones.

Delhi Police Special Cell Assistant Commissioner of Police Lalit Mohan Negi reached the NewsClick office in the national capital.

#WATCH | Delhi Police Special Cell ACP Lalit Mohan Negi reaches NewsClick office in Delhi.

Raids at different premises linked to NewsClick are currently underway at over 30 locations, no arrests made so far. pic.twitter.com/KezrcJes7A

— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2023

Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had registered a case against NewsClick alleging that it received foreign funding in violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). and had sought an investigation into its funding.

The Special Cell has charged NewsClick under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 153A of IPC (promoting enmity between two groups), 120B of IPC (Criminal conspiracy).

Sources told News18 that the journalists whose houses have been raided include Aunindo, Abhisar, Sohail Hashmi, Bhasha Singh, and Prabir Purkayastha Urmilesh.

Apart from this journalist Abhisar Sharma wrote on X, “Delhi police landed at my home. Taking away my laptop and Phone.”

Delhi police landed at my home. Taking away my laptop and Phone…

— Abhisar Sharma (@abhisar_sharma) October 3, 2023

NYT investigates NewsClick 

In August, the New York Times, in a report, named NewsClick and alleged that it was part of the global network that received funding from China-based American tech mogul Neville Roy Singham, who is reportedly involved with the Chinese government.

“In New Delhi, corporate filings show, Singham’s network financed a news site, NewsClick, that sprinkled its coverage with Chinese government talking points. ‘China’s history continues to inspire the working classes,’ one video said,” NYT said in its investigation, report.

The nexus of Congress, China, NewsClick and CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat came to the fore via a chain of emails. The email exchanges between Neville Roy Singham, an American millionaire, with editor of Prabir Purkayastha, various journalists and CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat had surfaced online.

The emails focused on Defending China’s position on COVID, supporting farmers’ protests in India, collaborating with Indian communists, promoting Chinese propaganda and defending border clashes with India.