NewsClick terror case: ED summons American millionaire Neville Singham
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned United States (US) millionaire Neville Roy Singham in the NewsClick terror case, ANI reported, citing sources. The probe agency reportedly sent him the summons through the Ministry of External Affairs (MHA) as he is currently based in Shanghai, China. Singham's name was initially highlighted in a New York Times (NYT) article, which accused him of disseminating Chinese propaganda in India and other countries.
Why does this story matter?
Singham hogged global headlines in August over his alleged involvement with the propaganda arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He has been accused of funding NewsClick, which is facing charges under the anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The NYT's August report claimed that 69-year-old Singham paid hundreds of millions of dollars to non-profit organizations worldwide that "mix progressive advocacy with Chinese government talking points."
NewsClick accused of spreading Chinese propaganda
The Delhi Police's Special Cell also identified Singham as an accused in the UAPA case. NewsClick Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakravarty were arrested under UAPA on October 3. Additionally, nearly 100 individuals, including journalists and activists, were raided. Singham had previously denied claims that he operated a funding network connected to the Chinese government's propaganda division. He added that the claims were "influenced by misinformation from an article published in the NYT."
Who is Singham
Son of a leftist academic of Sri Lankan origin, Singham was born on May 13, 1954, in the US. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from Howard University and also attended Michigan University. Singham founded Chicago-based software consultancy ThoughtWorks in 1993 and served there till 2017. In 2017, he married a former Democratic political adviser, Jodie Evans, who is the co-founder of Code Pink, a left-wing non-profit charity, which has reportedly turned into China's defender lately.
Singham's India connection
According to the NYT, one Singham-connected outlet (probably referring to NewsClick) co-produced a YouTube show with Shanghai's propaganda department. He also contributed to Tricontinental, a left-wing research tank whose executive director is Kolkata-born Vijay Prashad, a political analyst and the nephew of Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat. Singham's son, Nate, reportedly works as a researcher for Tricontinental and is stationed in Brazil.
Know about case against NewsClick
After their arrest on October 3, Purkayastha and Chakravarty were charged under UAPA for allegedly receiving money to promote pro-China propaganda in India. The FIR alleges a significant amount of funds came from China to "disrupt the sovereignty of India" and harm the country. Purkayastha is also accused of conspiring with the People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) organization to disrupt the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
