CBI Probes NewsClick for FCRA Violation, Raids Founder’s Premises

CBI Investigates NewsClick for FCRA Violation, Raids Founder’s Residence Amid Allegations of Chinese Links and Funding

The CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) conducted raids at the residence and office of Prabir Purkayastha, the founder of NewsClick, concerning alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). This action by the CBI is the latest in a series of investigations into the news portal’s alleged connections with China and questionable funding.

NewsClick Case: CBI registers FCRA case against NewsClick, probes alleged FCRA violation; searches on at 2 locations. #NewsClick #NewsClickCase #CBI #FCRA

WATCH #LIVE here-https://t.co/5C8MAHsMNQ pic.twitter.com/yGBPlnXhzz

— Republic (@republic) October 11, 2023

Read more:-CBI Probes West Bengal Polls Document Tampering

Last week, the Delhi Police arrested Purkayastha and the Human Resources head of NewsClick, Amit Chakravorty, under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been investigating NewsClick since 2021 and has already seized assets belonging to Purkayastha.

Election Disruption Accusations

The Delhi Police’s FIR accuses Prabir Purkayastha of conspiring with a group called the People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism to disrupt the 2019 general elections. It alleges that Chinese companies like Xiaomi and Vivo established shell companies to inject foreign funds into this conspiracy. The FIR also claims that Indian and foreign entities illegally channelled significant funds as part of a conspiracy to undermine India’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity.

#BREAKING | NewsClick Case: CBI registers FCRA case against NewsClick, probes alleged FCRA violation; searches on at 2 locations.#NewsClick #NewsClickCase #CBI #FCRA

WATCH #LIVE here-https://t.co/gSSmsVFY5W pic.twitter.com/ahZObZ3iKO

— Republic (@republic) October 11, 2023

The FIR further implicates activist Gautam Navlakha and American millionaire Neville Roy Singham in spreading Chinese propaganda. It suggests a long-standing association between Navlakha and Purkayastha dating back to 1991. The FIR references emails between Purkayastha, Neville, and some Chinese employees, alleging their intent to portray Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir as separate from India.

NewsClick Refutes Allegations Strongly

NewsClick has vehemently denied these charges, asserting that it has never published news influenced by any Chinese entity or authority and has not taken directives from Singham. The news portal insists that all its funding has been conducted through proper banking channels and reported to the relevant authorities following the law, as confirmed by the Reserve Bank of India in proceedings before the Delhi High Court.

Read more:-Allahabad HC Seeks UP Govt Response in Akanksha Dubey CBI Probe Petition

The ED, which is also examining the Delhi Police FIR, had previously conducted raids on Purkayastha’s premises in September 2021. The agency claims to be investigating fraudulent foreign fund inflows of over ₹86 crore into the company operating NewsClick.

NewsClick, as per its website, identifies itself as an independent media organization dedicated to reporting on news from India and around the world with a focus on progressive movements. It was established in 2009.

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