New Delhi Oct 03 (Online): In the Indian capital, New Delhi, the police have raided the homes of several prominent journalists in connection with the investigation into the funding of the news website ‘News Click’.
According to foreign media, the police raided the houses of many journalists associated with ‘News Click’ under the Anti-Terrorism Act and confiscated their mobile phones and laptops.
Authorities are reportedly investigating allegations that NewsClick received illegal funds from China, a charge the news website has denied.
Critics said the move is a deliberate attack on press freedom. News Click, launched in 2009, is an independent news and current affairs website known for its criticism of the government.
In 2021, he was prosecuted by tax authorities for violating India’s foreign direct investment laws. Among the people whose homes were allegedly raided in the past day were website editor Prabir Prakayasth, Journalists Abhisar Sharma, Anandev Chakraborty and Bhasha Singh, famous satirist Sanjay Rajura and historian Sohail Hashmi, some of them have also been taken to the police station for questioning. The police are yet to comment on the matter.
However Abhisar Sharma confirmed the raid on his X account and said the police had seized his phone and laptop.
Bhasha Singh also wrote that the police have confiscated his phone.
According to the Indian news agency ANA, the website’s office in Delhi is also being searched.
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