New Delhi: law enforcement bureau ED has imposed a fine of Rs 184 crore on news portal NewsClick and its editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), official sources told news agency ANI on Monday.The order imposed a fine of Rs 120 crore on PPK NewsClick Studio Private Limited, which owns the portal, while Purkayastha was fined Rs 64 crore for the alleged irregularities.The entities were found to have “violated” FEMA regulations on two primary counts. The first concerns misreporting of foreign direct investment (FDI) funds, and the second concerns misreporting of services and exports.Currently awaiting NewsClick’s response to the order.The education ministry had earlier raided the portal’s premises in Delhi’s Saidulajab area in September 2021 in connection with a money laundering probe. During the course of investigation, the agency recorded statements of more than 25 people, including Purkayastha.2023, ruling bjp Citing a report in The New York Times, the BJP accused the portal and its promoters of irregularities. The article claimed NewsClick was part of a global network that received funding from U.S. billionaire Neville Roy Singham, who allegedly worked closely with Chinese government media organizations.In the same year, the Delhi Police Special Cell conducted raids at 30 premises associated with the online portal NewsClick and the residences of its journalists. Teams from the Delhi Police Special Cell and Mumbai Police also conducted searches at the residence of activist Teesta Setalvad in Juhu.Police officials also brought NewsClick editor Prabir Purkayastha, writer Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and Urmilesh to the special cell office in the national capital.Founded in 2009, NewsClick describes itself on its website as an independent media organization focused on reporting news from India and around the world, with a special emphasis on progressive movements.
