What Defends NewsClick, Specifically? Evidence And Charges
The allegations against NewsClick are centered on the 38 crore rupees in purported foreign money that the news portal received.
Prabir Purakayastha, the creator of NewsClick, has been detained pursuant to UAPA. (File)
New Delhi: NewsClick, an English-language news website in New Delhi, is being investigated for allegedly breaking China-related laws regarding foreign investment. On Tuesday, the Delhi Police detained its founder Prabir Purakayastha and HR Head Amit Chakraborty in accordance with the anti-terror law known as the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
The news outlet was allegedly funded by a network spreading Chinese propaganda, according to a New York Times investigation, which led to raids on NewsClick and its journalists the day before the arrests.
Concerning NewsClick: Charges
On August 17, 2023, a lawsuit was filed against NewsClick and Mr. Purakayastha, and the UAPA was used to bring charges against the company’s leadership. The media company is accused of supporting terrorism, engaging in terrorist activity, and engaging in criminal conspiracy. It is also charged of encouraging animosity amongst various communities.
The case is centered on the news portal’s alleged receipt of 38 crore in foreign funds. According to sources with the Enforcement Directorate, Chinese organizations donated money to NewsClick to promote pro-Chinese content.
According to sources, the US-based M/s Worldwide Media Holdings LLC allegedly invested 9.6 crore as foreign direct investment (FDI) in Newsclick in April 2018 by purchasing the company’s shares at an exorbitant premium of 11,510 per share.
Jason Pfetcher, a friend of Neville Roy Singham, a native of China who is supposedly a liaison for the Communist Party of China, founded the business in 2017. ‘Leftist ideology’ was allegedly promoted by him by injecting money into NewsClick, according to sources.
In addition, NewsClick is said to have received 28 crore in export remittance from two US-based companies between 2018 and 2022. However, sources claim that it was unable to present any evidence of exporting services to US corporations throughout the investigation.
They claim Neville Roy Singham is the mysterious source of the 38 crore in foreign monies.
What Was Done With The Money?
The investigation agencies are also looking into the end use of the foreign monies inflow.
According to the agencies, the investigation has so far shown that NewsClick is suspected of paying activist Gautam Navlakha, who is charged in the Bhima Koreagon case, a salary of 21 lakh. According to reports, Teesta Setalvad’s family members also received a salary of 24 lakh.
Additionally, Newsclick is accused of paying journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, a consultant for the company since 2018, a salary of 40 lakh. Urmilesh, a different journalist, was paid 23 lakh.
According to the sources, the investigation also showed that Mr. Purkayastha and Mr. Navlakha formed a business together, reportedly with funding from a US-based defense corporation. Investigations are also being conducted into the company’s finances and investment.
NewsClick Disputes Accusations
Various central agencies have reportedly targeted Newsclick since 2021, but no money laundering complaints have been made as of yet, according to Newsclick.It claimed that the Income Tax Department, the Economic Offences Wing of the Delhi Police, and the Enforcement Directorate had searched its offices and the homes of its employees. “Yet, in the last two plus years, the Enforcement Directorate has not been able to file a complaint accusing NewsClick of money laundering,” the statement read.
The organization asserted that it is an independent news source and refuted charges that it only publishes material at the direction of Chinese authorities or entities. On its website, Newsclick does not disseminate Chinese propaganda. Newsclick has stated that Neville Roy Singham does not have any influence over the content that is published on its website.
Press Bodies Disapprove of Crackdown
Several press organizations have denounced the raid on NewsClick and emphasized the significance of free speech and independent media. The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, has also received letters from journalist organizations requesting his action. A few political groups have also expressed their support for the news website and the journalists who were searched.
