Raids were underway at the residence of NDTV co-founder and executive co-chairperson Prannoy Roy, CBI said on Monday. CBI also filed a case against Prannoy Roy and his wife Radhika Roy, a private company and others for causing an alleged loss to a private bank.
Reportedly, the case links to a bank loan default of Rs 48 crore taken from ICICI bank. As per the FIR filed, the loan defaulted by NDTV’s Prannoy Roy is for a firm called, RRPR holdings private limited.
CBI officials have said that searches are being conducted at four places including Delhi and Dehradun.
Soon NDTV issued a statement saying, “This morning, the CBI stepped up the concerted harassment of NDTV and its promoters based on the same old endless false accusations. NDTV and its promoters will fight tirelessly against this witch-hunt by multiple agencies. We will not succumb to these attempts to blatantly undermine democracy and free speech in India. We have one message to those who are trying to destroy the institutions of India and everything it stands for: we will fight for our country and overcome these forces.”
NDTV Managing Editor Sreenivsan Jain also voiced his opinion on Twitter saying, “Message is clear: any independent voices in media will be bullied and shut down. Black day.”
NDTV’s Editorial Director Sonia Singh tweeted, “Stand fully with Prannoy & Radhika Roy, the most honest, decent & courageous people I know. We will not be cowed down by false charges.”
Executive Editor Nidhi Razdan said, “A message to those in the media who are still independent and do their job by fearlessly asking questions. We won’t be intimidated.”
Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy’s comment is awaited.
