Mumbai: Delhi Police today questioned several so-called “journalists” with links to Newsclicks following raids in a foreign funding case. Controversial NGO operator Teesta Setalvad’s Mumbai house was also raided in this connection. In August 2023, it was reported that during an investigation, the Enforcement Directorate found that the money Newsclick received from China was used to fund NGOs, activists and journalists. Teesta Setalvad’s husband, son and daughter were among the beneficiaries, including Abhisar Sharma, Gautam Navlakha and more.

As per reports, the husband of Teesta Setalvad, Javed Anand, received Rs 12.61 lakh. The daughter of Teesta Setalvad, Tamara, received Rs 10.93 lakh. Son of Teesta Setalvad, Jibran, also received funds, but the amount was not mentioned in the reports.

Setalvad has been accused of using funds she collected for the 2002 Gujarat Riots victims for personal use. She is also accused of tutoring witnesses in cases filed against the Gujarat Government and then-CM of Gujarat, Narendra Modi. Setalvad was also accused of taking funds (Rs 30 lakh) from a Congress leader to wage war against the then-Modi-led Gujarat Government.

The raids conducted today are liked to a case filed on August 17 this year under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). On August 10, a report in the New York Times had revealed that India based NewsClick was part of a global network funded by American billionaire Neville Roy Singham, who is known for supporting far-left causes and is linked to the Chinese government’s media arm.