New Delhi, 12 Oct 2023:The residence and office of Prabir Purkayastha, founder of the news portal NewsClick, were searched by the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with a case filed against the outlet. According to a press release from Kashmir Media Service (KMS), the case pertains to alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and includes additional charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). These latter charges suggest that Purkayastha conspired to advance a narrative that recognizes Kashmir as a disputed territory. NewsClick has formally denied allegations that it received foreign funds in violation of the FCRA, which were purportedly introduced by Neville Roy Singham, identified by Delhi Police as an active member of the propaganda department of the Communist Party of China.

The probe initiated by Delhi Police alleges fraudulent financial activities by the news portal, scrutinizing particularly its financial dealings that, they assert, contravene the FCRA. The contentious funding, alleged to originate from Singham, is speculated to be tied to a wider narrative that supports the depiction of Kashmir as a territory in dispute. The comprehensive legal implications of the charges filed under the UAPA, in addition to the FCRA violations, have yet to unfold fully as the investigation by the CBI continues.