NewsClick probe: CPI(M) leader under ED lens

CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat. File pic/AFP

A dump of email exchanges that include some between American billionaire Neville Roy Singham and senior CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat are under the scanner of the ED as part of its money laundering probe against news portal NewsClick, official sources said on Thursday. NewsClick is alleged to have received dubious funds from Singham to spread Chinese propaganda.

The ED is also probing the alleged transfer of funds of about Rs 40 lakh from NewsClick to the family members of activist Teesta Setalvad, transfer of about Rs 72 lakh to journalist and author Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, some employees of NewsClick and few independent media persons over a period of time.

It had found that NewsClick also allegedly paid Rs 17.08 lakh as "salary" to jailed activist Gautam Navlakha, Rs 97.32 lakh to Bappaditya Sinha, a shareholder in NewsClick and a member of the IT cell of the CPI(M) over an unspecified period. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), according to the sources, is investigating the "end use" of these funds.

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