The Indian government and law enforcement agencies systematically abuse state power?

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The Delhi High Court quashed the money laundering case against NewsClick in May 2026, describing the probe as mala fide and an abuse of power (Newslaundry). The Supreme Court also declared founder Prabir Purkayastha's October 2023 UAPA arrest invalid on procedural grounds (The Hindu). However, the ED appealed the High Court ruling to the Supreme Court in October 2026, and reported raids targeted 46 journalists rather than over 70 (Washington Post).

4 claims checked
4 sources
Checked 25 Oct 2026
Main source: ‘Attack on free press, fishing exercise’: HC quashes PMLA case against NewsClick

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The Reel we checked

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For years, Newsclick was branded as “China-funded” and accused of anti-national activities based on an alleged illegal foreign funding case. Now, the Delhi…

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The trick: One person = everyone

It judges a whole group by one person's act.

“The Indian government and law enforcement agencies systematically abuse state power and legal frameworks to silence critical journalism.”

judges a whole group by one person's act

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What we checked

The Delhi High Court has quashed the money laundering case against NewsClick.“Justice Neena Bansal Krishna delivered the judgment on May 29, quashing both the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Delhi Police Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and the subsequent money launderi”‘Attack on free press, fishing exercise’: HC quashes PMLA case against NewsClick

The Delhi High Court stated that the proceedings against NewsClick were malafide and an arbitrary abuse of power with no incriminating evidence found.“Justice Neena Bansal Krishna delivered the judgment on May 29, quashing both the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Delhi Police Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and the subsequent money launderi”‘Attack on free press, fishing exercise’: HC quashes PMLA case against NewsClick

Prabir Purkayastha spent seven months in jail under the UAPA before the Supreme Court ordered his release.“The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, set aside the Delhi High Court’s 2019 order, and declared both the arrest and remand order of 4 October 2023 invalid.”Comprehensive Case Summary: Prabir Purkayastha v. State (NCT of Delhi) 2024 - The Legal Quorum

Offices and homes of over 70 journalists and staff members were raided by the Delhi police in October 2023.No reliable source found for this yet.

What the Reel doesn't tell you

The Enforcement Directorate appealed the High Court's quashing order to the Supreme Court in October 2026, and the separate UAPA case against NewsClick remains before trial courts.

How it plays you

It wants you to think: “The Indian government and law enforcement agencies systematically abuse state power and legal frameworks to silence critical journalism.”

A single court ruling quashing one money laundering case does not establish a broad, systematic state policy across all government agencies.

Short version

🔀 DOESN'T FOLLOW 👉 The Delhi High Court quashed the money laundering case against NewsClick in May 2026, describing the probe as mala fide and an abuse of power (Newslaundry). 👉 The ED appealed the High Court ruling to the Supreme Court in October 2026, and reported raids targeted 46 journalists rather than over 70 (Washington Post). 🎭 Trick: One person = everyone 🔎 Full check: send this Reel to @checkthis.chat