New Delhi: The office of the parent company of digital news channel, HW News Network was raided by Income Tax department for 50 hours on September 16 in Mumbai.
There are still no official reports on the reason for the IT raids on HW News Network’s parent organisation, Theo Connect Private Limited.
According to HW News managing editor Sujit Nair, the raids that began on Wednesday and lasted till Friday evening.
As per a report on HW news, mobile phones of all journalists and staff present were seized, and they were not allowed to access any communication channels and were told to keep away from their computer systems. “WhatsApp chats of our editorial staff, their notes were checked. Our movements were restricted,” it said.
Several staff members were made to stay in the office for two consecutive nights.
In a post on Twitter on September 18, Nair said, “We’ve not seen income for a long, long time but there was a raid. (For) three days, our mobile was seized, movement was restricted.”
“We were here almost the day and night. At least I was allowed to go home late night. Some of us had to stay back,” he added.
Indicating that the editorial position of the channel will not be changed, Nair stated, “We still believe that the Reserve Bank of India was responsible for the debacle of Punjab and Maharashtra Bank. We still believe that India needs economic stimuli. We still India belongs to Indians. Our biggest strength is your support. And till such time, we have your support, our beliefs will not change.”