NewsClick raid: News agency's Editor-in-chief and HR head sent to 7-day police remand following raids
New Delhi, October 4: In a significant development, Prabir Purkayastha, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of NewsClick, along with Amit Chakravarty, the Head of Human Resources, were sent to seven days of police remand on Wednesday. This comes a day after their arrest in connection with an ongoing investigation led by the Delhi Police.
On Tuesday, the Delhi Police arrested Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakravarty after conducting raids at the NewsClick office under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and other relevant sections. These arrests mark a significant development in a case that has garnered substantial attention.
According to the Delhi Police, a total of 37 male suspects were interrogated at the NewsClick premises, while nine female suspects were questioned at their respective residences. The police stated, "Regarding the search, seizure, and detentions carried out today in connection with a UAPA case registered with the Special Cell, so far, two accused, Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakravarty have been arrested. A total of 37 male suspects have been questioned at the premises, and nine female suspects have been questioned at their respective places of stay."
The authorities also reported the seizure and collection of digital devices and documents for further examination as part of their investigation.
Notably, Prabir Purkayastha, along with writers Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and Urmilesh, was brought to the Special Cell offices in the national capital as part of the ongoing inquiry. The Delhi Police initiated a crackdown against NewsClick and its journalists in connection with an FIR registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
On a related note, the Delhi Police's Special Cell had sealed the NewsClick office in the national capital on Tuesday afternoon. These raids were conducted at more than 30 locations in connection with a case registered on August 17 under UAPA and other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 153A (promoting enmity between two groups) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).
In an earlier development on August 10, a report in The New York Times had alleged that NewsClick was part of a global network receiving funding from American billionaire Neville Roy Singham. Singham, known as a socialist benefactor of far-left causes, has been at the center of a well-funded influence campaign defending China and propagating its agenda. He is also reported to have close ties with the Chinese government's media apparatus.
The arrests of Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakravarty and the ongoing investigation have raised significant questions and garnered attention from various quarters, making it a developing story with potentially far-reaching implications.
- ANI
