US-based media body condemns tax raids on Dainik Bhaskar, Bharat Samachar

A US-based media body has condemned the raids on India’s prominent media group Dainik Bhaskar and TV channel Bharat Samachar by the Income Tax Department and said New Delhi should drop these investigations aimed at “intimidating” news outlets critical of its government.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said India must revive its long tradition of press freedom and “allow journalists to report freely on matters of public interest”.

The Income Tax Department conducted raids across several states against Dainik Bhaskar as well as Bharat Samachar for alleged tax evasion.

The raids against Dainik Bhaskar, which has presence in 12 states and runs newspapers as well as operates radio stations, web portals and mobile phone apps, started around 5:30 am on Thursday and were going on till late in the evening.