In the year 2021, the Enforcement Directorate undertook a thorough inquiry into allegations of money laundering against NewsClick, a prominent Indian media house. The investigation unearthed a substantial sum of 30 crore rupees being funneled through illicit means, with NewsClick directing funds to individuals associated with dubious affiliations. Among the recipients was Gautam Navlakha, a prime accused in the Bhima Koregaon case and a known Maoist activist.
As news of the investigation surfaced, the media house cried tyranny in unison, attempting to stall the case and sway public opinion in its favor. However, after years of relentless efforts, justice has finally prevailed. The once influential NewsClick, often accused of being the Indian mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party, now finds its doors sealed.
The repercussions of this investigation are vast and profound. Both the founder and the human resources head of NewsClick have been apprehended, while the public face of the website, Abhisar Sharma, is now squarely under the scrutiny of both the Enforcement Directorate and the Special Cell of the Delhi Police.
As many as 46 individuals found themselves under the intense scrutiny of law enforcement agencies, with their digital devices and vital documents seized for examination. Among those who faced rigorous questioning were senior journalists Urmilesh, Aunindyo Chakravarty, Abhisar Sharma, Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, as well as historian Sohail Hashmi, satirist Sanjay Rajoura, and D Raghunandan of the Centre for Technology and Development.
But what has brought a media outlet like NewsClick under the relentless legal spotlight? It all began with allegations of money laundering, leading to an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate. In 2021, the Delhi High Court had temporarily shielded NewsClick and Prabir Purkayastha from coercive actions by the federal agency.
However, the controversy resurfaced in August when The New York Times implicated NewsClick in a global network allegedly receiving funding from American billionaire Neville Roy Singham, who purportedly had close ties to the Chinese government’s media machinery. Emails from Singham to NewsClick requesting articles highlighting China’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and a NewsClick video titled “China’s history continues to inspire the working classes” were cited as evidence.
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But wait, the recent move by Amit Chakravarty, HR head of Newsclick, to seek approver status in a Delhi court has created substantial ripples within the Indian media landscape. In his petition to Special Judge Hardeep Kaur, Chakravarthy sought leniency, asserting he holds crucial information that he is willing to disclose to the Delhi Police.
This development transpired shortly after the Patiala House Court in New Delhi granted a 60-day extension of judicial custody to complete the investigation into the case involving Chakravarty and the founder of the news portal, Prabir Purkayastha.
This development follows a 60-day extension granted by the Patiala House Court in New Delhi for the police to conclude their investigation into Chakravarty and the news portal’s founder, Prabir Purkayastha. It signals the potential beginning of a more significant revelation, with agencies dealing what could be the final blow to the so-called anti-India mouthpiece, Newsclick.
But the question arises is why is this so significant? Well, NewsClick is not just any media portal.
Apart from The Hindu, it stands alone as one of the most prominent media outlets known for its overt affinity towards China. It’s intriguing to note that the moment the raid on the portal commenced, cries of protest emerged not just from the opposition party, Congress, but also from politicians in Pakistan. The Khan market cartel, known for its influence in the Indian intelligentsia, joined in, all accusing the government of tyranny. This convergence of voices cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence.
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It’s clear that NewsClick isn’t about press freedom; it’s about perpetuating false narratives that undermine India’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, interests, and image, all at the behest of the Chinese deep state, fueled by dubious and illicit funding. Criticizing Prime Minister Modi or anybody else is not a crime, but that should just not serve as an excuse to engage in undermining India, whether online or offline.
The nation’s integrity and interests should always remain paramount, regardless of political affiliations. The raid on NewsClick is a stern reminder that the media’s role in safeguarding these values should never be compromised. If the journalists claim to be “The Fourth Pillar of Democracy”, they should actually stand by it.
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