CBI FIR against NewsClick, editor-in-chief Purkayastha

Prabir Purkayastha being brought to the Patiala House Court. Pic/PTI

The CBI registered an FIR against NewsClick and its founder Prabir Purkayastha for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and carried out searches at the office and residence of the portal's founder on Wednesday, officials said.

In the FIR, the agency has named as accused the company PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt Ltd, Purkayastha, Jason Pfetcher, the sole manager of Worldwide Media Holdings, and American millionaire Neville Roy Singham, who runs an IT consultancy firm, besides unidentified others.

They said a team of agency officials searched the residence and office of NewsClick founder Purkayastha, who was recently arrested by the Delhi Police in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

"The CBI is currently conducting search and seizure operations at the NewsClick office and the residence of our Editor-in-Chief, Prabir Purkayastha. This is the fifth agency that is investigating us. We are cooperating with the authorities," the online news portal posted on X.

The CBI spokesperson said it is alleged that there was an "unexplained receipt" of foreign funds of approximately R9.59 crore by incorrect characterisation of the fund as FDI.

FCRA rules

FCRA, 2010, prohibits the acceptance of foreign contribution by the company engaged in the production and broadcast of audio-visual news or current affairs programme through any electronic mode and by any correspondent or columnist or writer or owner of such company.

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