Indian Police Raid Residents Of Journalists

Indian police conducted raids at the residences of several prominent journalists and authors in the capital city of Delhi on Tuesday as part of an ongoing investigation into the funding of the news website NewsClick. The individuals targeted in the searches had their mobile phones and laptops seized by authorities. The investigation centers on allegations that NewsClick received illegal funds from China, a charge that the website vehemently denies. Among those reportedly subjected to the raids are Prabir Purkayastha, the editor of NewsClick, as well as journalists Abhisar Sharma, Aunindyo Chakravarty, and Bhasha Singh, satirist Sanjay Rajaura, and historian Sohail Hashmi. Some of them have been taken to police stations for questioning. While the police have not yet provided official comments on the raids, journalist Abhisar Sharma confirmed the developments on social media, revealing that the police had confiscated his phone and laptop. Bhasha Singh also stated that her phone had been seized. Simultaneously, searches were carried out at NewsClick's office in Delhi, according to news agency ANI. Reports indicate that the raids are related to a case filed against NewsClick in August following a New York Times report. The report alleged that the website had received funds from an American millionaire, Neville Roy Singham, to disseminate "Chinese propaganda." Singham was accused of collaborating closely with the "Chinese government media machine" and using non-profit organizations and shell companies to finance global propaganda efforts. On August 17, a case was registered, and the police invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a stringent anti-terrorism law that makes obtaining bail exceedingly challenging. NewsClick has vigorously refuted all accusations. The raids on journalists and news outlets have raised concerns about press freedom in India, especially since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assumption of power in 2014. Numerous media organizations have faced government investigations for alleged financial improprieties. This has prompted organizations like Reporters Without Borders to downgrade India's press freedom ranking to 161st place, characterizing the situation as having deteriorated from "problematic" to "very bad." India's press freedom standing has been compared to that of Tajikistan (153rd) and Turkey (165th).