NewsClick row: CBI initiates investigation into NewsClick for FCRA violations, conducts searches

NewsClick row: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched an investigation into NewsClick, a news portal, for alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Simultaneously, searches are being conducted at two locations in Delhi, including the office and residence of NewsClick's founder, Prabir Purkayastha.

This development follows the recent arrest of Prabir Purkayastha and NewsClick's HR head, Amit Chakravarty, who were taken into custody on charges related to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly accepting funds to promote pro-China propaganda.

The arrests and probe unfolded subsequent to an incident on October 3 when Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakravarty were apprehended, and the NewsClick office was sealed.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), significant amounts of funding were allegedly funneled from China to NewsClick with the purported intent of disrupting India's sovereignty and instigating disaffection within the country. The FIR also claimed that Prabir Purkayastha had conspired with a group known as the People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) to subvert the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections.

In the wake of the initial developments, raids were conducted at 88 locations in Delhi and seven more in other states on October 3. These actions targeted individuals named in the FIR and those identified during data analysis. Law enforcement seized approximately 300 electronic devices from NewsClick's offices and the homes of the journalists who were questioned. Following the raids, the Special Cell in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) interrogated 46 individuals, including nine female journalists.

NewsClick, in response to the allegations, vehemently denied any involvement with Chinese funds and categorically rejected the charges. The news portal issued a statement asserting that the proceedings initiated against them represent an attempt to suppress free and independent journalism in India.

They maintained that NewsClick had neither received funding nor instructions from China or Chinese entities, emphasising their commitment to non-violence, national integrity, and legality in their reporting. The news portal urged the public to review their freely available online content as evidence of their credibility.

Also Read: Israel-Hamas war: Israel confronts multi-front threat of conflict from Lebanon and Syria: 10 key points

- With inputs from agencies

Join Whatsapp Channel