Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Oct 3: Raids at various locations reportedly associated with NewsClick are currently in progress at more than 30 places, according to sources within the Delhi Police.
The Delhi Police searched the residences of numerous journalists and staff members connected to the online news portal NewsClick this morning due to its potential connections to China.
“Raids underway at different premises linked to NewsClick, no arrests made so far,” Police Sources added.
Prabir Purkayastha, the editor of NewsClick along with writers Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and Urmilesh were taken by police authorities today to the special cell offices in the capital.
Teams from the Mumbai police and Delhi police’s special cell searched activist Teesta Setalvad’s home in Mumbai.
Anurag Thakur, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, supported the police move against NewsClick by arguing that investigation authorities are free to look into any allegations of wrongdoing.
“I don’t need to justify… If anyone has committed anything wrong, search agencies are free to carry out investigations against them under set guidelines,” Thakur said.
The raids are being carried out in connection with a case that was filed on August 17 under UAPA and other IPC sections, including 153A of IPC (promoting enmity between two groups), 120 B of IPC (criminal conspiracy), and UAPA.
A New York Times report from earlier on August 10 said that NewsClick was part of a worldwide network that is financed by American millionaire Neville Roy Singham.
