ED Slaps Rs 184 Crore Fine On NewsClick, Editor Prabir Purkayastha Over Foreign Funding Violations

Last Updated:February 16, 2026, 20:37 IST

Enforcement Directorate fined NewsClick Rs 184 crore under FEMA for alleged FDI misrepresentation.

The Enforcement Directorate has imposed a Rs 184 crore fine against news portal NewsClick, and its editor-in-chief, Prabir Purkayastha, under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), news agency PTI reported, citing official sources.

As per the order, PPK NewsClick Studio Private Limited, the company that owns the portal, has been fined Rs 120 crore, while Purkayastha has been issued a separate penalty of Rs 64 crore for alleged violations.

The entities have been found “contravening" FEMA provisions on two counts — alleged misrepresentation of foreign direct investment (FDI) funds and misdeclaration of services and exports, sources told the news agency.

A response from NewsClick on the development is awaited.

The ED had first conducted searches at the portal’s premises in the Saidulajab area of the national capital in September 2021 in connection with a money laundering probe. The agency has since recorded statements of more than 25 individuals, including Purkayastha.

In 2023, the BJP cited a report by The New York Times to allege wrongdoing by the portal and its promoters. The report had claimed that NewsClick was part of a global network that received funding from American billionaire Neville Roy Singham, who allegedly has links with Chinese government media entities.

Founded in 2009, NewsClick describes itself on its website as an independent media organisation focusing on news coverage from India and abroad, particularly progressive movements.

(With inputs from agencies)

News india ED Slaps Rs 184 Crore Fine On NewsClick, Editor Prabir Purkayastha Over Foreign Funding Violations

Read More