Press Club of India expresses solidarity with journalists amid NewsClick raids & UAPA case

Delhi Police searches are underway in premises linked to news portal News and its journalists.  investigation, rooted in a case registered on August 17, involves stringent legal provisions such as Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Section 153A of Indian Penal Code (IPC), dressing promotion of enmity between different groups, and Section 120B of IPC, dealing with criminal conspiracy. According to sources, a fresh case under UAPA has been registered. 

Reacting to se developments, Press Club of India (PCI) expressed its concern and solidarity with journalists involved. In a tweet, PCI stated, " Press Club of India is deeply concerned about multiple raids conducted on houses of journalists and writers associated with News." It furr noted that it would soon release a detailed statement on Delhi Police's actions and emphasized its solidarity with journalists while urging government to provide more information.

"We are monitoring developments and will be releasing a detailed statement.  PCI stand in solidarity with journalists and demand government to come out with details," Press Club tweeted.

Delhi police raids News

se operations follow earlier raids by Enforcement Directorate on News premises as part of an investigation into news portal's sources of funding. Special Cell is currently conducting se raids based on information provided by central agency.

During Delhi police searches, officers reportedly recovered data from laptops and mobile phones belonging to some News journalists. Special Cell has initiated a new case and begun an investigation, with officials confirming that no arrests have been me thus far.

Enforcement Directorate h previously conducted raids in February 2021 at News's premises and residences of its editors as part of a money laundering probe. case, which revolves around alleged foreign funding, stemmed from an FIR registered by Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing. According to FIR, accused individuals, in collaboration with foreign accomplices, devised a deceptive scheme to receive funds under guise of Foreign Direct Investment for activities instructed by ir foreign-based benefactors. case involves multiple sections of IPC, including 406, 420, and 120-B, and is based on evidence gared during investigation into se financial transactions.

(With inputs from agencies)