NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police Special Cell raided the office and residences of journalists linked to the news portal NewsClick on Tuesday in connection with allegations of illegal funding from China to shape up the narrative in favour of Beijing over the coronavirus outbreak.
The raids were conducted at more than 30 locations, including the homes of journalists Sanjay Rajoura, Bhasha Singh, Urmilesh, Prabir Purkayastha, Abhisar Sharma, Aunindyo Chakraborty, and Sohail Hashmi. Police seized phones and laptops from the journalists for further investigation.
The Delhi Police said that they had received inputs from other agencies that NewsClick was receiving illegal funding from China and using it to run anti-India activities. A Special Cell has registered a fersh FIR under UAPA (Unlawful Activities of Prevention Act) against NewsClick.
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In August, The New Indian accessed a leaked email in which Purkayastha, the editor-in-chief of NewsClick, allegedly discussed with US tech billionaire Neville Roy Singham on how to defend China’s position regarding its handling of the Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan.
In the email, Singham also referred to NewsClick employees and one Vijay Prasad as “international friends who work together on creating information for the people.”
The police said that they are still investigating the allegations against NewsClick and that no arrests have been made so far.
Soon after the raids began, the journalists took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the news. “Delhi police landed at my home. Taking away my laptop and Phone…,” posed Abhisar Sharma.
Another NewsClick employee, Bhasha Singh, tweeted: “Finally last tweet from this phone. Delhi police seizure my phone (sic).”