16 November,2023 10:34 AM IST | Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Neville Roy Singham/ ThoughtWorks
The Enforcement Directorate has issued summons to American millionaire Neville Roy Singham over the NewsClick row, stated a report by ANI. According to the report, the summons were issued to him in China via the Ministry of External Affairs.
Singham's name had cropped up first in a New York Times report which alleged that he was involved in spreading Chinese propaganda across the world.
According to the report, Neville, who has been named as an accused in the NewsClick terror case, has refuted the prior allegations of running a funding network linked to the Chinese government's propaganda arm.
Reportedly, the case, involving founder and Editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayashta and HR head Amit Chakravarty, led to arrests and raids affecting nearly 100 individuals, including journalists and activists.
Purkayastha and Chakravarty were arrested by Delhi Police's Special Cell last month following raids at nearly 100 locations across India, the ANI report added. The two have been charged under relevant IPC sections and the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The authorities are investigating accusations against NewsClick of having received illegal funding from China and the allegations that they propagated Chinese propaganda. Several employees and consultants associated with the portal are also under scrutiny.
On November 2, the Patiala House court in Delhi remanded Prabir Purkayastha and Amit Chakravarty to judicial custody for 30 days.
According to the report, the Delhi Police's FIR stated that the People's Dispatch portal, linked to PPK NewsClick Studio Pvt Ltd, has intentionally disseminated false narratives through paid news and received foreign funds in crores through illicit routing.
The Delhi Police further stated in its FIR that the foreign funds were infused illegally in India by Indian and Foreign entities inimical to the country and alleged the entities conspired to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. The FIR stated that the entities wanted to cause dissatisfaction against India and to "threaten" its unity, integrity and security.
The FIR was reportedly based on investigations by The New York Times which linked Singham, a Shanghai-based businessman of Sri Lankan-Cuban descent, affiliated with the Chinese government to NewsClick.
With agency inputs
