NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted searches on the premises of news portal Newsclick and residences of its journalists and promoters in connection with investments of Rs 32 crore in the portal from what ED claimed to be suspect sources in the US.
The raids were criticised by Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala and Left leaders like Subhashini Ali and Dipankar, while the Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) issued a statement in support of Newsclick. Noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan, too, criticised the ED action. The new portal’s editor said the organisation was cooperating with the authorities.
According to sources, a money-laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has been initiated against Newsclick promoters based on an FIR registered by Delhi Police.