Delhi Police Raid Homes of NewsClick Journalists, Other Locations Amid China Funding Row
Delhi Police Raid Homes of NewsClick Journalists, Other Locations Amid China Funding Row
The Delhi Police Special Cell on Tuesday raided at least 30 locations across Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad, including homes of journalists, and other addresses associated with the news portal NewsClick. The raids are being conducted in connection to a fresh FIR, registered by the Special Cell on August 17 under sections of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), against the news portal, for alleged receipt of funds from China.
Sources in Delhi Police said that the raids were carried out by over 100 police personnel across the city. They said that the journalists’ homes were searched for documents related to the alleged funding from China, as well as for any other evidence that could be used to support the police’s case.
NewsClick has denied the allegations of receiving funding from China. In a statement, the news portal said that the raids were “an attempt to intimidate and silence independent journalism”.
The raids come amid a growing crackdown on dissent in India. In recent months, the government has arrested several journalists and activists on charges of sedition and other crimes.
The UAPA is a draconian law that allows the government to detain people without charge for up to 18 months. It has been used to target critics of the government, including journalists, activists, and students.
The raids on NewsClick have been condemned by several journalists’ organizations and human rights groups. They have called on the police to immediately withdraw the FIR and release any journalists who have been detained.
It is unclear what the police are hoping to achieve with these raids. The UAPA is a very serious charge, and it is unlikely that the police will be able to prove that NewsClick received funding from China. However, the raids are likely to have a chilling effect on independent journalism in India.
The raids on NewsClick have raised concerns about the government’s commitment to press freedom.
NewsClick is a well-respected news portal that has been critical of the government on a number of issues. The raids on its journalists are seen as an attempt to silence critical voices.
The UAPA is a particularly concerning law to use in this case. It is a law that has been used to target minorities, activists, and journalists. The fact that the police have used this law against NewsClick is a sign of the government’s growing intolerance of dissent.
The raids on NewsClick are a reminder of the challenges that journalists in India face. Journalists in India are often harassed, intimidated, and arrested for their work. The government has also been accused of using surveillance and other tactics to silence critical voices.
The raids on NewsClick are a setback for independent journalism in India. They are a reminder that the government is willing to use its powers to silence dissent. It is important to stand in solidarity with NewsClick and other independent media outlets in India.
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