The Delhi Police Special Cell on Tuesday raided the residence of CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury in connection with the ongoing police crackdown on news website NewsClick.
The raid was prompted by the presence of a graphic designer associated with the news website reportedly residing within the premises.
The homes of several journalists associated with NewsClick were searched today in connection with a case under the draconian UAPA case.
A fresh case has been registered by the Delhi Police Special Cell against the news portal under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), days after a New York Times investigation alleged that the news portal had received funding from a network pushing Chinese propaganda.
One of the journalists, Abhisar Sharma, posted on X, “Delhi police landed at my home. Taking away my laptop and Phone…”
Sources said the cops seized devices, including laptops and mobile phones, belonging to at least seven journalists.
The journalists targeted include Abhisar Sharma, senior journalist Bhasha Singh, veteran journalist Urmilesh, Newsclick editor Prabir Purkayastha and writer Githa Hariharan, renowned journalist and commentator on the political economy Aunindyo Chakravarty, activist and historian Sohail Hashmi, and satirist and stand-up comic Sanjay Rajaura, according to The Wire.
Journalist Bhasha Singh tweeted what would be the final missive from her phone, before its seizure.
The police are also conducting raids at residences and buildings attached to the news portal and its founders/editors.
No arrests have been made yet.
In Mumbai, similar action was being taken against activist Teesta Setalvad, who is the director of think tank Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. The think tank has written articles for Newsclick.
The Press Club of India, in a statement, expressed concern over the raids, stating that they “stand in solidarity with the journalists and demand the government to come out with details”.
Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate had registered a case against the news portal and investigated its funding. The central agency had also attached some assets linked to the news portal.
In August, a New York Times investigation had alleged that NewsClick is among organisations that were funded by a network linked to US millionaire Neville Roy Singham that pushes Chinese propaganda.
The news portal’s offices were also searched by Income Tax officers in 2021 in an alleged tax evasion case.
“These investigations by various agencies, and these selective allegations, are attempts to stifle the independent journalism of media organisations – including NewsClick. The Constitution of India under Article 19(1)(a) guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression, a right central to our work,” NewsClick’s editor Prabir Purakayastha earlier said.
