Delhi Police raided the homes of several journalists linked to the news portal NewsClick on Tuesday morning, according to reports. The raids come under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a controversial law that has been used to crack down on dissent in recent years.
The raids are reportedly connected to an investigation into the funding of NewsClick. In August, the New York Times reported that NewsClick was among the organizations that received funding from American millionaire Neville Roy Singham, who allegedly ran networks to push Chinese propaganda globally.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had earlier registered a case and was probing the sources of money of NewsClick. The economic offenses wing of Delhi Police had in 2021 registered a case to probe the funding of the portal following which the ED had registered a case and attached some assets.
The Delhi High Court had later given protection from arrest to NewsClick promoters and the matter is in the court.
Delhi police landed at my home. Taking away my laptop and Phone…
— Abhisar Sharma (@abhisar_sharma) October 3, 2023
Breaking story this morning: Delhi police special cell raids homes of several journalists/writers associated with Newsclick website. Take away mobiles and laptops.. interrogation on. No warrant/FIR shown yet. Since when did journalists become state ‘enemies’ in a democracy?
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) October 3, 2023
Early morning raids on journalists, satirists and activists in UAPA case :
Objective perhaps :
Silence them before 2024 !
Precursor for times to come !
— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) October 3, 2023
Though there is no official word from the Delhi Police, it is learnt that the following are among those raided — veteran journalist Urmilesh, Newsclick editor Prabir Purkayastha and writer Githa Hariharan, journalist Aunindyo Chakravarty, activist Sohail Hashmi, satirist Sanjay Rajaura, and journalists Abhisar and Bhasha Singh.
The raids on the homes of journalists have sparked outrage from the media fraternity and civil society groups. Many have condemned the raids as an attack on press freedom.
The raids come at a time when the Indian government is facing increasing criticism for its crackdown on dissent. In recent months, the government has arrested several journalists and activists under the UAPA.
The Chenab Times News Desk