In a recent development, the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) Economic Offences Wing conducted a search at both the NewsClick office and the residence of Prabir Purkayastha, the arrested editor of NewsClick, in New Delhi. At the time of this report, a team of about eight CBI officials was still present at his residence, where they were questioning Githa Hariharan, a renowned author and partner of Prabir Purkayastha.
Prabir Purkayastha is presently in judicial custody in a case filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act by the Delhi Police. Amit Chakraborty, the head of human resources at NewsClick, is also in custody in connection with the same case.
The case against NewsClick involves allegations of receiving funding from China and publishing Chinese propaganda. This case is already under investigation by various agencies, including the Delhi Police Special Cell, Delhi Police Economic Offences Wing, Enforcement Directorate, and Income Tax Department.
According to reports, the CBI is now launching a probe into alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
In response to these developments, NewsClick, through its official account, stated, “This is the fifth agency that is investigating us. We are cooperating with the authorities.”
NewsClick has consistently denied all allegations and has asserted in court that no funds from China have been received by the organization. Media rights organizations in India and worldwide have criticized the actions against NewsClick, viewing them as an attack on press freedom and an attempt to silence voices critical of the government’s narrative.
Sources suggest that the CBI’s involvement in this FCRA matter is due to the original charges related to foreign direct investment (FDI) seeming dubious, as it involves an exchange between two private parties. By categorizing it as an FCRA matter under a different agency, there is the possibility of another central agency seeking custody and preventing release if the accused are granted bail promptly. This approach has been observed in various cases where evidence is weak or lacking.
Githa Hariharan, an accomplished author and the founder of the Indian Cultural Forum, has received awards for her literary contributions, including the prestigious Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. This case has garnered significant attention, raising concerns about the state of media freedom in India, and is being closely monitored by media organizations and advocates of press freedom.
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Source: The Wire
