The website NewsClick’s editor Prabir Purkayastha, journalists Abhisar Sharma, Aunindyo Chakravarty, Bhasha Singh, satirist Sanjay Rajaura, cultural activist Sohail Hashmi and Human Rights activist Teesta Setalvad’s houses have been raided early morning today.

Sharma confirmed the development on X, formerly known as Twitter, and said that the police were taking away their phone and laptop. Singh also said that the police seized her phone.

Delhi police landed at my home. Taking away my laptop and Phone…— Abhisar Sharma (@abhisar_sharma) October 3, 2023

Finally last tweet from this phone. Delhi police seizure my phone.— bhasha singh (@Bhashak) October 3, 2023

Searches are also reportedly underway at Newsclick’s office in Delhi. In all, raids are underway at more than 30 locations, according to ANI.

On August 5, The New York Times published a report claiming that NewsClick had received funds from a network centred around American millionaire Neville Roy Singham to spread “Chinese propaganda” around the world.

The report claimed that Singham worked closely with the “Chinese government media machine” and promoted its point of view in various countries.

At the time, Purkayastha had, however, told Scroll that the allegations about the organisation functioning as a mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China are false.

This is a developing story.