NewsClick’s HR Head Moves To Delhi Court Seeking To Become Government Witness
The Human Resources department head of the news website, NewsClick, Amit Chakravarty has filed an application to become an approver or a government witness. The news website is under the probe of “anti-terror” law UAPA for allegedly receiving funds to broadcast Chinese propaganda in India. The senior staffer filed his application in Delhi’s Patiala House Court. He sought pardon in exchange for “material information” about the case, said news agency PTI. Whether NewsClick will support his plea is not revealed yet.
Amit Chakravarty and News Click founder, Prabir Purkayastha were arrested on October 3 by the Delhi Police’s special cell and charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Both of them has been since lodged in Delhi’s Tihar jail. Special Judge Hardeep Kaur has dismissed Prabir Purkayastha’s plea to release electronics like mobile phones and laptops which was seized during the police raid.
Mr. Chakravarty and Mr, Purkayastha was arrested after New York Times reported about NewsClick allegedly receiving crores from organizations linked to Neville Roy Singham, who is an American millionaire reportedly linked to Chinese state-run media. The report was published in August 5 this year. The Delhi Police claimed that the funds were “routed from China in a circuitous and camouflaged manner and paid news were intentionally … criticising domestic polices, development objects…”. NewsClick responded to the allegation via a statement in which they claimed the allegations are “unfounded and without basis in fact or law”.
The news website is accused of having received Rs. 9.59 crore from US registered Worldwide Media Holdings LLC in 2018/2019 which is in violation of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) laws. Another reason shown by the Enforcement Directorate of India is the “transaction” between NewsClick and human rights activist Teesta Setalvad, who was alleged about fabricating evidence in the 2002 Godhra riots case.
The FIR against NewsClick also mentioned the name of another activist and journalist Gautam Navlakha, who, according to the police has been a shareholder in the NewsClick company since 2018. According to police, Mr. Navlakha is involved in anti-Indian and unlawful activities such as actively supporting banned naxal organizations and having connection with Gulam Nabi Fai, who is an agent in ISI, Pakistan. The FIR said, Mr. Purkayastha has been associated with Mr. Navlakha since 1991. Report said Delhi Police will interrogate Gautam Navlakha, who recently got bail in the Bhima Koregaon case, at his residence next week.
