The news website NewsClick, whose editor-in-chief and HR head were arrested by Delhi police last week under the anti-terror law and whose journalists were questioned about their reporting assignments, was raided by the CBI on Wednesday.
“The CBI is currently conducting search and seizure operations at the NewsClick office and the residence of our Editor-in-Chief, Prabir Purkayastha. This is the fifth agency that is investigating us. We are cooperating with the authorities,” NewsClick posted on X on Wednesday morning.
The CBI issued a press release alleging violation of FCRA regulations, but did not name NewsClick.
In the past three years, NewsClick, its employees and associates have been investigated by the Delhi police economic offences wing, the Enforcement Directorate that raided their premises in 2021, the income tax department, and the Delhi police special cell that conducted raids last week.
Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakraborty are in judicial custody after they were arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The arrests and raids were condemned as a “chilling” attempt to muzzle the media, at a protest held at the Press Club of India.
The Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corps, Press Association, Digipub, Delhi Union of Journalists and the Working News Cameramen’s Association on Wednesday called upon their members to support NewsClick employees who have lost their work tools — laptops and phones — which have been seized by the police.
They said in a statement: “During the raids of October 3 at the homes of NewsClick employees, laptops and phones were seized indiscriminately, including those of elderly and sickly family members of employees... As of now, their right to work and livelihood stands affected indefinitely. Many NewsClick employees are single earners with elderly family members to support.”
The outfits added: “As there is no assurance of the return of their equipment, we appeal to members of our fraternity and the public at large to help out in whichever form possible...”
The website’s owners and investors have denied any wrongdoing and cited an RBI status report in 2021 that the foreign direct investment they received was by the book. NewsClick has argued that this investment was received before the FDI cap of 26 per cent in digital media imposed in 2019. The website has also stated that it “does not publish any news or information at the behest of any Chinese entity or authority, directly or indirectly” and that it “does not propagate Chinese propaganda on its website”.
In the press release on Wednesday, the CBI said: “It was alleged that the said private company had received unexplained export remittance of Rs. 28.46 Crore (approx.) through four foreign entities in violation of FCRA provisions. It was further alleged that there was an unexplained receipt of foreign fund of Rs 9.59 Crore (approx.) by incorrect characterization of the fund as FDI. The Director of said private company with his close associates had allegedly violated the provisions of FCRA, 2010.
“It was also alleged that the provisions of FCRA, 2010, prohibiting acceptance of foreign contribution by company engaged in production and broadcast of audio-visual news or current affairs programme through any electronic mode and by any correspondent or columnist or writer or owner of such company, were violated.”
In the recent past, the Centre has cancelled the FCRA licences of at least four globally renowned non-profits — the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), Oxfam India, Centre for Policy Research (CPR) and the Centre for Equity Studies (CES). In the last two years, the latter three have been raided. The research and advocacy of all of them have been critical of the Modi government. This was condemned publicly by a group of retired senior bureaucrats.
At least two institutions linked to the Congress have also lost their licences as have scores of other missionary and charitable organisations.
