Delhi police raid homes of prominent journalists
Police in the Indian capital Delhi, have conducted searches at the residences of several well-known journalists and authors as part of an investigation related to the funding of the news website NewsClick.
During these searches, law enforcement officers confiscated mobile phones and laptops from those subjected to the raids, which occurred on Tuesday morning.
The investigation reportedly centers around allegations that NewsClick received illicit funding from China, allegations that the news outlet vehemently denies.
Critics of this action argue that it represents a deliberate assault on press freedom.
Established in 2009, NewsClick is an independent news and current affairs website recognized for its critical stance towards the government. In 2021, it faced a raid by tax authorities over allegations of violating India's foreign direct investment regulations.
Among the individuals reportedly targeted in Tuesday's raids are Prabir Purkayastha, the editor of the website, along with journalists Abhisar Sharma, Aunindyo Chakravarty, and Bhasha Singh. Also affected were popular satirist Sanjay Rajoura and historian Sohail Hashmi. Some of these individuals have been taken to police stations for further questioning.
While the police have not yet issued official statements regarding these raids, Abhisar Sharma confirmed the developments on social media, stating that his phone and laptop were confiscated. Bhasha Singh similarly reported that her phone had been seized.
Simultaneously, searches were being conducted at NewsClick's office in Delhi, as reported by the news agency ANI.
.png "Advertisement")
