New Delhi: The Delhi Police has filed an 8,000-page chargesheet with annexures against the news portal NewsClick and its founder Prabir Purkayastha, accusing them of several offences including terror funding and promoting Chinese propaganda. The chargesheet also links Purkayastha to the farmers’ protests and the 2020 Delhi riots, according to reports.
Purkayastha is being investigated under the anti-terror law UAPA for allegedly receiving funding to broadcast Chinese propaganda in India. The NewsClick founder and its head of HR Amit Chakravarty were arrested on October 3, 2023 by the Special Cell of Delhi Police. They were taken into custody after police raids across the city, and charged under the UAPA. Both have since been lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail.
The Delhi Police has alleged that Purkayastha was involved in collecting funds for terrorist activities. According to the chargesheet, there is evidence linking him to a conspiracy aimed at funding and supporting terrorist organisations, including the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba. The chargesheet claims that funds amounting to Rs 91 crore were channelled through NewsClick for such activities, NDTV reported.
Purkayastha is also accused of altering maps to portray India without Kashmir and Aksai Chin, effectively endorsing Chinese territorial claims. Additionally, Newsclick is alleged to have engaged in a malicious disinformation campaign, particularly concerning protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The chargesheet alleges that Purkayastha conspired to instigate the farmers’ protests and Delhi riots while also funding various terrorist organisations. It further accuses Newsclick of mobilising masses against the CAA/NRC, spreading misinformation, and inciting hatred through its content. Besides, Purkayastha has been accused of conspiring with Neville Roy Singham, an American millionaire, and others to publish articles against vaccines made by Indian pharmaceutical companies, thereby defaming the Indian government.
The Delhi Police claims that Purkayastha had active links with the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and funded their activities.
The Patiala House Court in Delhi on Tuesday acknowledged the chargesheet and set May 31 as the next date of hearing.
