Activist Gautam Navlakha to be questioned over foreign funding, links with ISI

The Delhi Police special cell will interrogate activist and journalist Gautam Navlakha at his residence in Mumbai next week, as part of the ongoing investigation into allegations of foreign funding and connections with Pakistan's spy agency ISI.

An Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) from the special cell will lead the questioning.

Navlakha, who was under house arrest, was recently granted bail in the Bhima Koregaon case. However, he would be questioned about his alleged involvement with Chinese funding and a nexus with Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai, who was arrested by the FBI in the US for allegedly collaborating with ISI by funnelling thousands of dollars to change the American lawmakers' views on Kashmir.

The interrogation is expected to delve into Navlakha's relationship with Fai and explore the extent of his alleged anti-India actions. This development came after recent arrests related to the NewsClick portal, where Prabir Purkayastha, the founder and editor-in-chief, along with HR head Amit Chakraborty, were taken into custody by the special Cell under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Last week, human rights activist Teesta Setalvad and her husband Javed Anand, co-editor of Sabrang India Media House, were also questioned by the special cell team in Mumbai in relation to the same case.

The Delhi Police have accused NewsClick journalists, including Navlakha, of conspiring to label Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as disputed territories, which is seen as an attempt to undermine India's sovereignty.

The case involves allegations of receiving foreign funds to propagate pro-China content and support banned Naxalite organisations. The FIR alleged that Navlakha and others were involved in anti-Indian activities and had connections with Gulam Nabi Fai, an agent of ISI.

The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Delhi Police on petitions filed by Purkayastha and Chakraborty, challenging their police custody under UAPA.