Delhi High Court Quashes Cases Against NewsClick, Upholds Press Freedom
On May 29, 2026, the Delhi High Court quashed criminal cases filed by the Delhi Police and Enforcement Directorate against news portal NewsClick and editor Prabir Purkayastha, ruling them a “gross abuse of law” and “mala fide.” The court found no criminal intent in the alleged FDI violations, noting the investment predated caps and no complainant emerged. Journalist unions and press groups hailed the verdict as a victory against state intimidation and misuse of agencies.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Delhi High Court Quashes Charges Against NewsClick and Prabir Purkayastha
The Delhi High Court has quashed an FIR filed by the Economic Offences Wing of the Delhi Police and consequent money laundering proceedings by the Enforcement Directorate against news portal NewsClick and its editor-in-chief, Prabir Purkayastha. The court, in a decision by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, held the action to be a 'mala fide and arbitrary' exercise of power and an abuse of legal process that threatened free and independent journalism. The case originated from a 2020 letter alleging NewsClick received $1.5 million from a US-based entity at an inflated share valuation to circumvent foreign investment caps. The court noted the investment occurred before the 26% cap was introduced, and the Reserve Bank of India had initially found no FEMA violation. The state later distanced itself from that report.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Indian Journalists' Union Welcomes Delhi High Court Verdict Quashing FIR Against NewsClick and Prabir Purkayastha
The Indian Journalists' Union (IJU) welcomed the Delhi High Court's verdict quashing the FIR registered by the Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing and the Enforcement Directorate against the NewsClick portal and its editor Prabir Purkayastha. In a statement, IJU leaders termed the verdict a moral victory for media freedom advocates and a tight slap to governments attempting to suppress independent voices and critical journalism. The IJU said the court's observation that the law had been misused sent a stern warning to the ruling dispensation. The union demanded that authorities stop the witch-hunt against independent media and drop all other fabricated cases against NewsClick. The IJU praised NewsClick for amplifying public voices and reporting on issues like the farmers' protest while questioning those in power.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Press Club of India Hails High Court Order Quashing Cases Against NewsClick and Prabir Purkayastha
The Press Club of India (PCI) welcomed the Delhi High Court's order quashing the FIR and Enforcement Directorate (ED) case against the news portal NewsClick and its founding editor Prabir Purkayastha. The High Court, on May 29, 2026, described the cases as a 'gross abuse of the process of law' and 'mala fide', ruling them an arbitrary attack on free and impartial journalism. The PCI stated that the ED's October 2023 raids were a witch-hunt against inconvenient journalism, intended to create a chilling effect on press freedom. The PCI called on the government to stop such targeted persecution and urged the Press Council of India to initiate proceedings against those responsible for the prosecution, as well as to ensure compensation for journalists who suffered financial losses due to job loss and equipment seizure.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.NewsClick Hails Delhi High Court Verdict Quashing FIR, Calls Case Attack on Press Freedom
Digital news platform NewsClick welcomed the Delhi High Court's decision to quash an FIR registered by Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing and related Enforcement Directorate proceedings against the outlet and its founder Prabir Purkayastha. The court ruled that allegations regarding foreign direct investment, share valuation, and fund expenditure did not constitute cheating or criminal breach of trust. NewsClick stated the verdict vindicated its position that the case was an attack on press freedom, noting the court described the ED proceedings as 'mala fide' and an 'arbitrary attack' on journalism. The Editors Guild of India, activists, and political figures welcomed the ruling, calling it a precedent against misuse of state agencies to intimidate dissenting voices. Some demanded an inquiry into the actions of police and ED officials and compensation for losses incurred during the legal battle.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Delhi High Court quashes Delhi Police and ED cases against NewsClick, citing gross abuse of law
The Delhi High Court has quashed criminal cases filed by the Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing and the Enforcement Directorate against news portal NewsClick and its editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna ruled on May 29, 2026, that the continuation of the 2020 FIR alleging FDI violations was 'nothing but a gross abuse of the process of law.' The court noted that the investment was an economic decision without criminal intent, that no 'cheated' person had complained, and that expenses like salaries and rent were legitimate business costs. The ED's money laundering case was also quashed as the predicate offence FIR was invalid. The court highlighted that after 18 months of investigation, no incriminating evidence was found against NewsClick or its employees.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.