Delhi , Oct 3-23 : In a startling turn of events, Delhi police has launched a series of early morning raids targeting the residences of prominent journalists and commentators associated with the news outlet Newsclick. The operations, conducted in connection with FIR number 224/2023, are allegedly linked to “related to” the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The case, which was registered against Newsclick on August 17, 2023, references several sections of the UAPA, including 13, 16, 17, 18, and 22, alongside 153(a) (promoting enmity between different groups) and 120 (b) (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.
While official statements remain elusive, the raids this morning bear eerie similarities to the 1975 Emergency period, as several newspersons were targeted. Among the individuals subjected to these early morning raids are video journalist Abhisar Sharma, senior journalist Bhasha Singh, veteran journalist Urmilesh, Newsclick editor Prabir Purkayastha, writer Githa Hariharan, renowned journalist and political commentator Aunindyo Chakravarty, activist and historian Sohail Hashmi, and satirist Sanjay Rajaura.
Prabir Purkayastha was reportedly taken from his home to the Newsclick office and later to the Special Cell headquarters. Sources indicate that around 15 police personnel arrived at his residence between 6:30 and 7 am, confiscating all electronic devices without providing any documentation.
The raids seem to have extended to the homes of past and present Newsclick journalists, contributors, and employees, including former Hindu journalist and Newsclick contributor Anuradha Raman, Satyam Tiwari, Aditi Nigam, and Sumedha Pal. Satyam Tiwari has been detained.
Activist Teesta Setalvad and veteran journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta also had their homes raided. Teesta Setalvad, who resides in Mumbai, is currently being questioned by Delhi police officers. Setalvad is the director of the think tank Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, which has contributed articles to Newsclick. Journalist Subodh Verma, formerly with the Times of India and now associated with Newsclick, was also a target of the raids.
Notably, Urmilesh, Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Abhisar Sharma, Prabir Purkayastha, and Satyam Tiwari have been confirmed to have been taken to the special cell headquarters for questioning, with lawyers reportedly denied access to them.
Earlier in the morning, police visited the homes of Newsclick employees across various roles and levels, seizing their electronic devices and inquiring about their reporting on events such as the farmers’ protest and the COVID pandemic in India.
As of this report, Delhi police are continuing their questioning, and sources suggest that scientist and writer D. Raghunandan, associated with the Delhi Science Forum, has also been “taken away by the police.” Several individuals have reported the confiscation of their devices, laptops, and phones.
Journalist Bhasha Singh and cartoonist Irfan K both took to social media to report the seizure of their devices.
In response to the raids, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur asserted that “probe agencies are independent and they are doing their jobs by following rules.” He stated that there is no need to justify the raids and that action can be taken if “money has come from wrong sources or something objectionable has been done.”
Gaurav Yadav, the legal representative for Urmilesh, he informed PTI that he has been unable to have a meeting with his client since this morning.
The current FIR appears to be rooted in an August report by the New York Times, which was cited by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey in the Lok Sabha to allege that Congress leaders and Newsclick had received funds from China to create an “anti-India” atmosphere.
The Press Club of India has expressed concern about the raids and plans to release a detailed statement regarding the situation.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
