Indian police raid journalists’ homes, arrests NewsClick founder

NEW DELHI – Indian police raided more than 30 locations in the capital New Delhi on Tuesday, targeting the homes of journalists, including the office of news portal NewsClick.

In the evening, police said they have arrested Prabir Purkayastha, the founder of NewsClick, under stringent anti-terror law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Amit Chakravarty, the head of the news portal’s human resources division, has also been arrested.

The raids come after allegations that NewsClick received funds from American businessman Neville Roy Singham, who is reportedly linked to the Chinese Communist Party.

The portal was previously investigated for similar allegations by the Economic Offenses Wing and the Enforcement Directorate, following a New York Times investigation.

Well-known journalist Abhisar Sharma reported on a social media platform that his equipment had been confiscated in the raid.

Comedian Sanjay Rajoura, who is associated with NewsClick, also had his devices confiscated.

Others whose homes were raided include journalists Bhasha Singh, Urmilesh, Aunindyo Chakraborty, NewsClick editor Prabir Purkayastha and historian Sohail Hashmi.

In Mumbai, civil rights activist Teesta Setalvad’s apartment and her Sabrang India office were searched for alleged money transfers from NewsClick.

Investigators believe NewsClick received about $9 million from China that was routed through the United States.

The Press Club of India has expressed concern about these actions, noting that India is declining in the World Press Freedom Index.

In a statement at the time, Newsclick had said that its office had been raided for over 36 hours and some equipment vital to our work as a news organization had been confiscated.