NewsClick: CBI files FCRA violations case, launches raids at 2 locations
The portal allegedly collected unreported foreign funds, and Neville Roy Singham, an active member of the Communist Party of China's propaganda department, was accused of fraudulently injecting money into the platform.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided two locations and filed an FIR against NewsClick, a news portal, for allegedly violating the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). The agency officers searched the founder of NewsClick, Prabir Purkayastha’s home and workplace. The portal allegedly collected unreported foreign funds, and Neville Roy Singham, an active member of the Communist Party of China’s propaganda department, was accused of fraudulently injecting money into the platform as part of the Delhi Police’s investigation into the matter.
CBI conducts a raid at the founder of NewsClick’s home and office
PTI reported that CBI conducted raids at two locations, one at NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha’s home and the other at his workplace. It has been claimed that the portal received foreign funds in breach of the FCRA case. A CBI source confirmed that they would investigate the charges of violating foreign funds rules against NewsClick. The news comes after the Delhi Police’s Special Cell searched several locations in the capital, including NewsClick’s offices and the offices of its affiliated journalists, in connection with a case filed under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
A raid was conducted on Newsclick Journalists on October 3
On October 3, the houses of several NewsClick-affiliated journalists were searched by the police in conjunction with a prosecution under the strict Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The houses of several journalists, including Prabir Purkayastha, Abhisar Sharma, Aunindyo Chakravarty, Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Bhasha Singh, Aditi Nigam, Bappa Sinha, and Urmilesh, were reportedly raided by authorities. The police were able to recover the backup data from some NewsClick journalists’ PCs and smartphones. Officials reported that the Special Cell has opened a fresh case and begun an investigation.
On August 22, the Delhi High Court gave notice to NewsClick’s Editor in Chief Prabir Purkayastha, in response to a petition from the Economic Offences Wing (EoW) of the Delhi Police. The EoW FIR states that an inquiry was started after a case was filed under IPC sections 406, 420, and 120-B. The investigators acquired information that pointed to criminal activity. The high court said on July 7, 2021, that Prabir Purkayastha will not be detained, but he will have to help with the investigation as and when the investigating officer deems it necessary. Justice Saurabh Benrajee bench asked for Purkayastha’s comment on the situation.
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