Raid without any adherence to due process: NewsClick

“We have not been provided FIR copy, or informed about the exact particulars of the alleged offences,” media outlet NewsClick said on Wednesday in a statement after raids were carried out at various locations including Newsclick’s offices, journalists and employees.

Following the raid, the Delhi Police’s Special Cell on Tuesday arrested NewsClick founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha and the news portal’s human resources head Amit Chakravarty in connection with its investigation into a case filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).

“We strongly condemn these actions of a Government that refuses to respect journalistic independence, and treats criticism as sedition or “anti-national” propaganda,” reads the statement.

The homes of 44 other journalists connected to NewsClick were raided.

“Electronic devices were seized from the Newsclick premises and homes of employees, without any adherence to due process such as the provision of seizure memos, hash values of the seized data, or even copies of the data. Newsclick’s office has also been sealed in a blatant attempt at preventing us from continuing our reporting.”

The organisation has been targeted by a series of actions by various agencies of the Government of India since 2021. Previously offices and residences of NewsClick’s officials were raided by the Enforcement Directorate, the Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police and the Income Tax Department.

In a statement, the police said 37 male suspects and nine female suspects were questioned and their digital devices and documents were seized. But no details about the case was mentioned in the statement.

“All devices, laptops, gadgets, phones, etc. have been seized in the past. All emails and communications have been analysed under the microscope. All bank statements, invoices, expenses incurred and sources of funds received by Newsclick in the last several years have been scrutinised by different agencies of the Government from time to time. Various directors and other related persons have spent countless hours on several occasions being interrogated by these government agencies,” NewClick’s statement said

Yet, in the last two plus years, the Enforcement Directorate has not been able to file a complaint accusing Newsclick of money laundering. The Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police has not been able to file a charge sheet against Newsclick for offences under the Indian Penal Code. The Income Tax Department has not been able to defend its actions before the Courts of law.”

The statement also makes the following claims:

1. Newsclick is an independent news website. 

2. Our journalistic content is based on the highest standards of the profession. 

3. Newsclick does not publish any news or information at the behest of any Chinese entity or authority, directly or indirectly. 

4. Newsclick does not propagate Chinese propaganda on its website. 

5. Newsclick does not take directions from Neville Roy Singham regarding the content published on its website. 

6. All funding received by Newsclick has been through the appropriate banking channels and have been reported to the relevant authorities as required by law, as substantiated by the Reserve Bank of India in proceedings before the High Court of Delhi.

All journalistic content ever published on the Newsclick website is available on the internet, and can be seen by anyone. The Special Cell of Delhi Police has not referred to a single article or video that they consider to be Chinese propaganda. Indeed, the line of questioning adopted by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police – regarding reportage on the Delhi riots, the farmers protests etc., all demonstrate the motivated and malicious intent behind the present proceedings. 

We have full faith in the Courts and the judicial process. We will fight for our journalistic freedom and our lives in accordance with the Constitution of India.