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

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

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

The Press Club of India is deeply concerned about the multiple raids conducted on the houses of journalists and writers associated with #Newsclick.

We are monitoring the developments and will be releasing a detailed statement.

— Press Club of India (@PCITweets) October 3, 2023

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

Delhi police raids NewsClick

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

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

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

(With inputs from agencies)