Inside the Raids on NewsClick: 20-25 Questions, List of Phones, Laptops to Be Seized

The case against NewsClick and approximately 10 journalists associated with the news website is founded on five sections of the UAPA anti-terror law and penal code provisions related to criminal conspiracy and promoting enmity, according to sources speaking to NDTV this morning. Earlier today, the Delhi Police, acting on information from the Enforcement Directorate, conducted raids at 24 locations within the city. Electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptops were confiscated, and five journalists were detained for further questioning.

In a noteworthy development, sources have disclosed that the police possessed a list of devices and cross-referenced IMEI numbers on this list with those found during the raids on NewsClick and journalists. Additionally, the police had a list of 20-25 questions, covering topics such as protests by farmers against the Modi government’s controversial farm laws and demonstrations in Delhi’s Shaheeh Bagh against the citizenship law. Journalists were also questioned about their travel to northeastern states and stories related to that region.

The series of events began with a meeting held by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell at 2 AM on Tuesday at its head office in Lodhi Colony. Approximately 200 police officers were present, and to maintain secrecy, mobile phones of junior officials were temporarily confiscated.

Simultaneously, Mumbai Police teams conducted a raid at the residence of activist Teesta Setalvad, who the Enforcement Directorate believes is connected to the NewsClick case.

Furthermore, there was a raid at the residence of Sitaram Yechury, leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), to question the son of a staff member. Sunmit Kumar, who works at NewsClick, had his phone and laptop seized, according to sources.

Delhi Police’s case against NewsClick and its journalists includes charges under five sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and two under the Indian Penal Code. However, further details of the police case have not been disclosed at this time.

The Enforcement Directorate alleges that NewsClick received nearly ₹38 crore from entities with purported links to China, which was allegedly used for the salaries of eight journalists. These journalists are now under scrutiny by the agency. Additionally, the agency claims there were ‘transactions’ between NewsClick and human rights activist Teesta Setalvad, who is alleged to have fabricated evidence in the 2002 Godhra riots case.

Finally, sources indicate that the agency believes NewsClick promoters funded the legal expenses of activist Gautam Navlakha, who is accused in a case related to alleged inflammatory speeches in Pune in 2017 that sparked the Bhima-Koregaon violence.

To date, at least 10 journalists with ties to NewsClick have been raided or are currently under scrutiny. Of these, five have been taken to the office of Delhi Police’s Special Cell for statement recording. No arrests have been made till now, according to the police.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur has end media queries on this matter, stating, “I don’t need to justify… if anyone has committed anything wrong, search agencies are free to carry out investigations under set guidelines.” These raids have faced criticism from activists and the opposition, with many characterizing them as a “crackdown on press freedom.”

In August, The New York Times had reported that NewsClick was among the organizations funded by American millionaire Neville Roy Singham’s global network, which promotes Chinese propaganda. In 2021, the site’s sources of funding were investigated by Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing, and Income Tax Department officials also searched NewsClick offices in the same year. Senior NewsClick editor Prabir Purkayastha had criticized these actions, calling them “attempts to stifle the independent journalism of media organizations.”