NewsClick has reported that it has faced targeting by various government agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate, the Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police, and the Income Tax Department, since 2021. According to NewsClick, these agencies have seized their electronic devices, subjected their emails and communications to close scrutiny, interrogated their directors, and thoroughly examined their financial records, including bank statements, invoices, expenses, and funding sources.
Despite these extensive investigations over the past two-plus years, NewsClick has pointed out that no charges of money laundering have been filed against them by the Enforcement Directorate, no charge sheet has been filed by the Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police under the Indian Penal Code, and the Income Tax Department has not been able to defend its actions in court.
NewsClick has also clarified that Prabir Purkayastha has not been called in for questioning by any of the mentioned agencies in recent months. They have accused the central government of misusing a "motivated and bogus article published in the New York Times" to invoke the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and attempt to suppress independent and courageous voices that represent the true story of India.
The online news portal has firmly stated that it does not publish news or information at the direction of any Chinese entity or authority, whether directly or indirectly. They deny propagating Chinese propaganda on their website and take directions from Neville Roy Singham regarding their content.
NewsClick has emphasized that the funds they have received have come through appropriate banking channels and have been duly reported to the authorities. They have challenged the Special Cell of Delhi Police, stating that no specific article or video has been referred to as Chinese propaganda. They argue that the line of questioning employed by the Special Cell, which pertains to reporting on the Delhi riots, farmer protests, and other issues, reflects a motivated and malicious intent behind the ongoing proceedings.
Additionally, it has been reported that Delhi's Patiala Court issued a notice to the police following a plea by Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakravarty, stating that the authorities did not provide an FIR (First Information Report) in the matter.
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