The forthcoming week will see the Delhi Police special cell conducting an interrogation of activist and journalist Gautam Navlakha at his Mumbai residence as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations involving foreign funding and purported connections with Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI.
The interrogation, to be led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) from the special cell, will delve into Navlakha's alleged involvement with Chinese funding and his association with Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai. Notably, Fai had faced arrest by the FBI in the United States on charges of collaborating with ISI, accused of channeling significant funds to influence American lawmakers' perspectives on the Kashmir issue.
Despite Navlakha's recent release on bail in the Bhima Koregaon case, the line of questioning will explore the specifics of his connection with Fai and the extent of his perceived anti-India activities. This development follows recent arrests related to the NewsClick portal, where Prabir Purkayastha, the founder and editor-in-chief, and HR head Amit Chakraborty were taken into custody by the special cell under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
In the broader context, human rights activist Teesta Setalvad and her husband Javed Anand, co-editor of Sabrang India Media House, underwent questioning by the special cell team in Mumbai concerning the same case.
The Delhi Police have leveled accusations against NewsClick journalists, including Navlakha, asserting their involvement in a conspiracy to designate Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as disputed territories, an act perceived as a threat to India's sovereignty. The case encompasses allegations of receiving foreign funds for promoting pro-China content and supporting banned Naxalite organizations. The FIR alleges that Navlakha and others engaged in anti-Indian activities and maintained connections with Gulam Nabi Fai, an alleged ISI agent.
In response to these developments, the Supreme Court has issued notices to the Delhi Police in response to petitions filed by Purkayastha and Chakraborty, challenging their detention under UAPA. The unfolding events underscore the complexity and gravity of the allegations, with the investigative process expanding to encompass various facets of foreign funding, political influence, and purportedly anti-national activities.
