Tax Raids on False Unfounded Claims, Says NewsClick Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha

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Prabir Purkayastha said NewsClick cooperated with investigations

New Delhi:

The NewsClick website made a statement a day after income tax officers spent more than 12 hours in his office for alleged tax evasion.

“This is not the first time that NewsClick has been targeted by government agencies. NewsClick’s offices, as well as the residences of Prabir Purkayastha and others associated with us, were also raided earlier this year by the Law enforcement branch, ”the company said. in the press release signed by its editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha.

“NewsClick has cooperated with the investigations of the Law Enforcement Branch and the Economic Crimes Wing, and has provided any documents they requested from time to time. Income tax officials interviewed Prabir and Pranjal in June, and again NewsClick provided the necessary documents.

“Yesterday’s raid appears to relate to the same false and unfounded allegations being investigated by the Law Enforcement Branch and the Economic Crimes Wing of the Delhi Police Force. We have these allegations challenged in front of us. the courts, “Purkayastha said in the statement.

“These investigations by various agencies and these selective allegations are attempts to stifle independent journalism from media organizations – including NewsClick. The Constitution of India under Article 19 (1) (a) guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression, one at the heart of our work, ”he said.

NewsClick is owned by PPK NewsClick Studio Pvt Ltd.

Another website, Newslaundry, was also “surveyed” by tax authorities yesterday. Its co-founder Abhinandan Sekhri told NDTV that he was not allowed to call his lawyer or accountant during the “investigation”.

Earlier today, Mr Sekhri posted an official statement on Twitter, in which he said he was told “… the law requires that I comply without seeking the advice of a lawyer. “.

Thank you again for your support. My statement is below. You can support us here https://t.co/lefMXTG3xw Please spread the message. pic.twitter.com/YCDni2AIKi

Abhinandan Sekhri (@AbhinandanSekhr) September 11, 2021

Under the Income Tax Act, an “investigation” is limited to business premises and office hours. Account books and inventories can be viewed but cannot be entered. Newslaundry offices were questioned in June and it is unclear what prompted a second “tax man” visit in a few months.

The Enforcement Branch alleged that NewsClick and News Laundry were linked to a money laundering case related to questionable foreign funding received by the registered companies that operate the websites.

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