Newsclick case verdict a victory for democratic rights: Pinarayi

Kerala Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan said on X on Thursday that the Delhi High Court’s verdict in the Newsclick case is a major setback for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The BJP, he alleged, misused Central agencies to suppress political dissent. The action against Newsclick and its editor Prabir Purkayastha was an attempt to silence critical journalism and democratic voices. This is a victory for democratic rights and press freedom over the fascist politics of the Sangh Parivar, Mr. Vijayan said.

The Enforcement Directorate had raided Mr. Vijayan’s residences last month in connection with the Exalogic-Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) pay-off case. Exalogic Solutions was a firm owned by Mr. Vijayan’s daughter T. Veena.

Mr. Vijayan had then accused the BJP of subverting Central enforcement agencies to target Opposition figures.