In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is intensifying its investigation into the NewsClick case, closely scrutinizing the first information report (FIR) filed by Delhi Police against the news portal and its founder, Prabir Purkayastha, under anti-terror laws. The federal agency, renowned for probing financial crimes, has been examining the funding of NewsClick since 2021 and took a notable step by seizing Purkayastha’s flat in New Delhi’s Saket area in April.
The latest twist in the case occurred in August when Delhi Police registered a case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against NewsClick. This move came in the wake of a report published by The New York Times, which alleged that NewsClick was part of a global network disseminating Chinese government propaganda and was funded by American businessman Neville Roy Singham.
While the investigation unfolds, an anonymous special cell officer disclosed that investigators are currently scrutinizing approximately 125,000 “doubtful emails” exchanged between Singham and Purkayastha. Furthermore, the officer indicated that police are probing Purkayastha’s foreign trips and alleged involvement in anti-national activities.
Earlier this month, the police conducted raids and interrogations, culminating in the arrests of Purkayastha and NewsClick’s head of human resources, Amit Chakravorty.
An official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated, “We have obtained the FIR of Delhi Police special cell and are studying it to see if there are facts in it which can be looked further into as part of an ongoing or separate probe.”
The police complaint alleges that Purkayastha conspired with a group known as the Peoples Alliance for Democracy and Secularism to sabotage the 2019 general elections. Furthermore, it claims that Chinese companies like Xiaomi and Vivo established shell companies to infuse foreign funds, thereby advancing this conspiracy.
Citing confidential intelligence, the complaint asserts that Indian and foreign entities illicitly funneled substantial funds, indicating a conspiracy to disrupt India’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity. The FIR also points to emails exchanged between Purkayastha, Neville, and “some other Chinese employees,” suggesting an intent to question India’s sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir.
The special cell officer stated, “We have information that Singham himself is monitoring all the anti-national activities in India from a place in China. They are particularly active in some eastern and southern states of India, from where they are involved in anti-India activities. We are investigating whether the accused named in this FIR were in connivance with them or not.”
NewsClick vehemently denies the charges, asserting that it never published news or information at the behest of any Chinese entity or authority. The news portal insists that it has adhered to proper banking channels for all funding and reported it to relevant authorities, as required by law, a fact corroborated by the Reserve Bank of India during proceedings before the Delhi High Court.
As the investigation progresses, questions surrounding the alleged financial crimes and their implications for NewsClick and its founder continue to mount, further deepening the complexity of this high-profile case.
Sources By Agencies
