The recent arbitrary raid conducted by Indian police targeting journalists affiliated with the independent online media outlet, NewsClick, has sparked international outrage. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and lawyers from Guernica 37 Chambers, specialising in human rights and international criminal law, have taken action by submitting the case to the European External Action Service (EEAS), the diplomatic arm of the European Union, urging Member States to impose sanctions on four high-ranking officials of the Delhi police’s counter-terrorism unit.
In October 2023, the Delhi Police’s Special Cell carried out raids on the residences of 46 journalists in the capital and surrounding areas. The targeted individuals were all associated with NewsClick, an independent media organization established in 2009. During the raids, more than 480 electronic devices, including phones and laptops, were confiscated. Additionally, two key figures from NewsClick, Human Resources Director Amit Chakravarty and founder Prabir Purkayastha, were arrested and charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), a controversial anti-terrorism law. Both individuals remain detained in Delhi’s Tihar prison.
The call for EU sanctions against the implicated police officers stems from concerns over unprecedented crackdowns on journalists in India. RSF and Guernica 37 Chambers emphasise that these sanctions can include measures such as travel bans, asset freezes, and restrictions on business dealings with European entities.
“The actions of the Delhi Police Special Cell against journalists associated with NewsClick represent one of the most blatant attacks on press freedom in India. These raids, carried out on an unprecedented scale, with the deployment of 500 police officers, are an alarming step in an already worrying context of repression of journalists. These acts of terror require urgent action on the part of the European Union. This would be a strong act to alert the international community on the unacceptable repression of journalists, and a necessary warning to the Indian authorities in the run-up to the general elections.“
Celia Mercier
South Asia desk, Reporters Without Borders
The targeted journalists are accused by the Special Cell of receiving illicit funding from China. However, it appears that the primary motive behind the raids was to suppress investigative reporting by NewsClick. Many of the journalists targeted had conducted investigations into alleged wrongdoing by the Adani conglomerate, whose chairman has close ties to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Others were likely targeted due to their coverage of the farmers’ protests between 2020 and 2021.
Critics argue that the Delhi Police’s Special Cell, operating under the Home Ministry led by Amit Shah, has a history of intimidating government critics. This was particularly evident during the student protests in 2020 against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), where several activists were arrested.
“The Delhi Police’s Special Cell seems to be one of the go-to bodies for the government of India to target critics, including journalists. Their speciality lies in the use of the UAPA to target dissidents. Both the UN and multiple foreign governments have warned the UAPA is ripe for misuse by authorities.”
Toby Cadman, Barrister and Founder of Guernica 37 Chambers
Toby Cadman, a Barrister and Founder of Guernica 37 Chambers, voiced concerns about the misuse of anti-terrorism laws, stating, “The Delhi Police’s Special Cell seems to be one of the go-to bodies for the government of India to target critics, including journalists. Their speciality lies in the use of the UAPA to target dissidents. Both the UN and multiple foreign governments have warned the UAPA is ripe for misuse by authorities.”
The deteriorating press freedom situation in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has drawn international attention. In RSF’s World Press Freedom Index, India plummeted to its lowest-ever ranking of 161st out of 180 countries in 2023, down from 133rd in 2016.
