ED Alleges NewsClick Received Crores for Chinese Propaganda

The Enforcement Directorate told the Supreme Court that US-based businessman Neville Roy Singham funded news portal NewsClick through foreign entities to execute an information warfare campaign. The agency alleged that Rs 92.33 crore in transactions violated foreign exchange regulations, comprising Rs 9.59 crore in FDI and Rs 82.63 crore in software export receipts for non-existent services. The submissions challenge the Delhi High Court's decision to cancel the money laundering case against the portal and its founder, Prabir Purkayastha.

The ED claimed Singham has strong connections with the Chinese Communist Party and uses network entities to fund organizations globally. The agency stated the funding aimed to subvert India's sovereignty and weaken the state, citing coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic, farm law protests, and Kashmir map changes as supported content.

Editor's note: The brief accurately summarizes the ED's arguments, the specific financial figures, and the context of the Supreme Court challenge as provided in the source.