Delhi Police's Special Cell raised eyebrows as they swooped in on the offices of online portal NewsClick and its journalists today, sparking outrage among the media community.
This move comes as part of a new case and ongoing investigation initiated by the Special Cell. The Enforcement Directorate had previously carried out inquiries into the portal's funding sources, leading the Special Cell to take action based on information provided by the central agency.
Reports indicate that police have seized data from laptops and mobile phones belonging to some NewsClick journalists. While a few journalists have been brought to the Lodhi Road Special Cell office, no arrests have been made yet.
Senior journalist Abhisar Sharma expressed his ordeal on social media, stating, "Delhi police arrived at my doorstep, taking away my laptop and phone." Meanwhile, journalist Bhasha Singh lamented, "This is my final tweet from this phone. Delhi police have seized my phone."
The Press Club of India voiced its deep concern regarding the raids on journalists and writers affiliated with NewsClick. In a statement, they said, "The Press Club of India is deeply concerned about the multiple raids conducted on the houses of journalists and writers associated with Newsclick. We are closely monitoring developments and will issue a comprehensive statement soon. The PCI stands in solidarity with the journalists and urges the government to provide clarity."
In August, the Delhi High Court sought the response of NewsClick Founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha in response to a plea from city police seeking the reversal of an earlier order granting him interim protection from arrest in a case involving unlawful foreign funding.
NewsClick recently made headlines for allegedly receiving funds from US millionaire Neville Roy Singham for pro-China content in India. Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur also claimed, based on an investigation by The New York Times, that NewsClick's financial trail revealed an "anti-India agenda."
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