Houses of journalists were searched on October 3rd

Urmilesh and Abhisar Sharma have also been booked

Allegations of receiving funds for chinese propaganda have been made

The houses of journalists Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Prabir Purkayastha, Abhisar Sharma, Urmilesh, Aunindyo Chakraborty and Bhasha Singh, satirist Sanjay Rajaura and activist Sohail Hashmi were searched in the early hours of 3rd October. NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha has been arrested on charges of alleged terror links. 

A probe had been launched with regard to questions arising about their funding after a report in the New York Times. The report talked about covert funding by China’s propaganda machinery to various organisations through a millionaire Nevile Singham Roy. Newsclick has also received funds from Nevile Singham Roy. 

He has however stated that he has followed tax laws of the nations wherein he operates. “I categorically deny and repudiate any suggestion that I am a member of, work for, take orders from, or follow instructions of any political party or government or their representatives. I am solely guided by my beliefs, which are my long-held personal views,” he stated. 

The assets of NewsClick were attached by the Enforcement Directorate after the probe. NewClick had denied charges and labelled them as false ,misleading, unfounded and without basis in fact or law.