The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has raided Prabir Purkayastha’s home and workplace in Delhi following allegations of alleged connections to China and questionable funding. NewsClick, a non-profit media outlet, has been under investigation since 2021. The Delhi Police FIR accuses Purkayastha and Amit Chakravorty of violating the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
The Delhi Police FIR alleges that Chinese companies like Xiaomi and Vivo established shell companies to inject foreign funds into the conspiracy. Purkayastha also got charged with conspiring to sabotage the 2019 general elections with a group called the Peoples Alliance for Democracy and Secularism. NewsClick denies the allegations and claims that all aid received by the portal went through legitimate banking systems.
CBI charges NewsClick with violating the FCRA
The CBI is investigating into NewsClick agency for its alleged connections with China and questionable funding.
CBI conducted raids at Prabir Purkayastha’s home and workplace
After filing a case to investigate a possible violation of the Foreign Contribution Violation Act (FCRA), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids at Prabir Purkayastha’s home and workplace on Wednesday, according to people close to the situation.
Alleged connections to China
CBI’s investigation into NewsClick is the latest agency to look into the news portal because of its alleged connections to China and questionable funding.
The Delhi Police incarcerated Purkayastha
The Delhi Police detained Purkayastha and Amit Chakravorty, the head of NewsClick’s human resources department, last week after accusing them of violating the strict Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The ED has been looking into the website since 2021.
What’s in the Delhi Police FIR?
According to the Delhi Police FIR, Chinese companies like Xiaomi and Vivo established shell companies to inject foreign funds into the conspiracy to further it. Prabir Purkayastha also faces the charge of conspiring to sabotage the 2019 general elections with a group called the Peoples Alliance for Democracy and Secularism.
Citing confidential information, it asserts that foreign and Indian entities illegally infused funds totaling crores to undermine India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, sow discord, and endanger the nation’s unity and integrity.
Additionally, it accuses American millionaire Neville Roy Singham and activist Gautam Navlakha of spreading anti-Chinese propaganda. The FIR asserts that Navlakha and Purkayastha have a friendship dating back to 1991.
NewsClick denied the allegations
NewsClick rejected the allegations, claiming that it has never released any news or information at the request of any Chinese organization or authority. It denied following any instructions given by Singham.
According to a statement from the portal, “All aid received by NewsClick went through legitimate banking systems and appeared to the proper agencies as mandated by law. The Reserve Bank of India backed up this claim in hearings before the High Court of Delhi.”
In September 2021, the ED raided Purkayastha’s offices while looking over the Delhi Police FIR.
According to the website NewsClick, it is a non-profit media outlet for reporting news from India and other countries focusing on progressive movements. 2009 saw its founding.
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