Indian journalists linked with Newsclick have been raided by Delhi Police on Tuesday morning in an alleged connection with an investigation into the news website’s funding.
The raids are linked with a case registered on August 17 under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) and 120B (punishment for criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.
Reportedly so far, the raided include editor Prabir Purkayastha; and journalists Abhisar Sharma, Aunindyo Chakravarty, Bhasha Singh, Sumedha Pal, Aritry Das and satirist Sanjay Rajaura.
Apart from the editorial desk, the police have also conducted a raid on other staffers and even contributors.
Journalists took to X (formerly Twitter), posting that their electronic devices have been taken away.
Delhi police landed at my home. Taking away my laptop and Phone…
— Abhisar Sharma (@abhisar_sharma) October 3, 2023
Finally last tweet from this phone. Delhi police seizure my phone.
— bhasha singh (@Bhashak) October 3, 2023
Scroll.in spoke with Sanjay Rajaura’s friend who was present at Delhi’s Lodhi Colony police station. He explained that the authorities broke into Rajaura’s house around 6.30 am. “They barged in like goons and confiscated Sanjay’s phone, laptop and some CDs,” he said. “They did not provide us with any warrant or FIR copy. They only said that they want to investigate all those linked to the Newsclick investigation.”
Newsclick’s office in Delhi is also reportedly under investigation.
#UPDATE | Delhi Police is conducting raids at different premises linked to NewsClick under UAPA and other sections: Sources https://t.co/1TBPzmAOtJ
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2023
Fellow journalists respond on X (formerly Twitter)
Nobody says “Go to Pakistan” anymore. “Chinese agent” is the new McCarthyism in India 2023.
— Shivam Vij (@DilliDurAst) October 3, 2023
Seizure of a journalists phone and digital devices is a wider trend that requires reform and safeguards. Important for us to remember earlier this year the raid at the BBC India offices. At the time I wrote on it in the Hindu. I am quoting from it below:
— Apar (@apar1984) October 3, 2023
“Since 2018, there have…
Read more:
In Mumbai, searches were being conducted on activist Teesta Setalvad, who is the director of think tank Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research.
— Scroll.in (@scroll_in) October 3, 2023
The think tank has written articles for Newsclick. https://t.co/eoSv8GqQsR pic.twitter.com/DKJaP2lJqU
