NewsClick HR chief to become government witness in anti-terrorism case » Today Latest Stories
NewsClick raids: Delhi Police carried out raids on more than 30 locations, sources said.
New Delhi:
The head of human resources at NewsClick – the news website being investigated under the anti-terrorism law UAPA for allegedly receiving funding to broadcast Chinese propaganda in India – has applied to become a government approver or witness. Sources told NDTV that the senior functionary – Amit Chakravarty – recorded his statement on Saturday and submitted his petition in Delhi’s Patiala House court. The Pakistan News Agency reported that he requested pardon in exchange for obtaining “substantial information” about the case.
The sources said that the agency has not yet decided whether to support his request.
Mr. Chakravarti and NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha were arrested on October 3 by the Special Cell of Delhi Police. They were detained after police raids across the city and were charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. They have since been lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail.
Last week, the same court rejected a petition filed by Purkayastha to release electronic devices, such as mobile phones and laptops, seized in those raids. Special Judge Hardeep Kaur dismissed the plea.
The case broke out after the New York Times reported that NewsClick had received millions from organizations linked to Neville Roy Singham, an American millionaire said to be linked to Chinese state-run media.
Read | 20-25 Questions List of phones and laptops to seize: Inside the NewsClick raids
The Delhi Police case alleged that these funds were “directed from China in a devious and camouflaged manner and the paid news was deliberately…critical of local policies and development projects…”
NDTV Explains | What is the case against NewsClick? Facts and accusations
NewsClick is accused of receiving Rs 9.59 crore in funding from US-registered Worldwide Media Holdings LLC in 2018/19 in violation of foreign direct investment or FDI laws.
The investment was allegedly made after the company’s shares were overvalued – to avoid the alleged 26 per cent foreign direct investment cap on a digital news website.
In addition, the Enforcement Directorate also alleges that there were “transactions” between NewsClick and human rights activist Teesta Setalvad, who allegedly fabricated evidence in the 2002 Godhra riots case.
The agency also believes that the promoters of NewsClick funded the legal expenses of activist Gautam Navlakha, an accused in the case of alleged inflammatory speeches in Pune in 2017 that sparked violence between Bhima and Koregaon.
NewsClick and Mr. Purkayastha have denied all charges.
Read | “Criminal Cases Filed to Create Chilling Effect”: Click Court News
In November, Purkayastha told the Delhi High Court that the abuse of due process by the investigating agency was intended to create a “chilling effect”. “We have arrived at a place where the criminal law is being used as a weapon of choice to chilling effect. There is nothing here that needs to be investigated.”
The aim of these criminal cases was said to be to “silence” independent and impartial reporting. It was also reported that the money was obtained from legitimate sources and that the proper paperwork was filed.
Read | Neville Roy Singham receives probe agency summons in NewsClick case: sources
Also in November, the Enforcement Directorate summoned Mr. Singham for questioning. Sources told NDTV that the process began after a Delhi court issued a letter of authority – a formal request to Chinese courts for assistance. The Chinese authorities refused to submit a more direct summons last year.
Mr. Singham – who was appointed by the executive management as an accused – also denied all charges against him.
The Central Investigation Agency intervened after raids by Delhi Police in October.
With input from agencies
NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link To get latest updates from NDTV on your chat.
