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CBI books journalist Upendra Rai

In an overnight action, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) swooped down on multiple places belonging to journalist Upendra Rai. The CBI is questioning Rai, 36, while the raids and investigations are still on, a CBI spokesperson told Newslaundry.

A case has been registered against under Section 120 of Indian Penal Code (intending to facilitate the commission of an of­fence punishable with imprisonment) and a section of the Anti-corruption Act. Formal arrests are yet to be made. The CBI is, however, questioning them. The case was registered against Praun Roy, CSO of M/s Air One Aviation Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, said firm, unknown public servants and others on the allegations of giving false information for obtaining access to highly sensitive areas of national importance such as airports in India and on allegations of dubious financial transactions.
Rai, in his capacity as director of an air chartered company, had allegedly acquired security passes to access civil aviation premises and airports. He allegedly concealed this information while obtaining a Press Information Bureau (PIB) accreditation card as a journalist.
The CBI spokesperson also claimed that the investigating agency has found some incriminating documents during searches, which indicate a trail of dubious financial transactions.

In 2010, according to reports, the CBI had investigated allegations of Rai offering a bribe to an official of the Enforcement Directorate for a favour. Formerly with Tehelka as its consulting editor, Rai runs his own media house, The Printlines Media Group. Earlier, he has also worked with the Sahara Group, CNBC and Star News.

Rai was involved in a controversy with PGurus, a website, to whom he had sent a Rs 100 crore legal notice on April 25. According to the website, Rai had also filed a first information report against PGurus. The FIR was registered under Sections 420 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 66 of the IT Act. 

This was after the website reported on “banking details showing the huge money flow to Rai’s accounts from shell firms like White Lion Real Estate Developers,” the website claims. The website had earlier published several articles, including one on “illegal assets & money laundering of Chidambaram’s benami petitioner, Upendra Rai”. 

Rai had alleged that the articles published on the website were defamatory. The case was expunged by the Noida police on April 28. 

MP to the Rajya Sabha, Subramanian Swamy had also come out in support of PGurus.

On April 9, Swamy had also filed public interest litigation in the Supreme Court of India. Explaining his reasons to file the PIL, Swamy had stated that he was doing so “to ensure smooth and fair investigations in the case [2G Spectrum case], which was being sought to be derailed by certain individuals mainly one Shri Upendra Rai…” 

Swamy also pointed out the Rai’s name was listed under CBI’s list of dubious middlemen — Undesirable Contact Men. Swamy had also accused Rai of “trying to scuttle the investigations by circulation false, frivolous and pseudonymous complaints and the investigating officer.”

Following reports about Rai’s arrest, Swamy tweeted:

As the CBI raids are still on, Newslaundry will update the story the moment more details are available.

Update: Along with Rai, the CBI is also questioning his PA Rahul Sharma and former reporter Sanjay Snehi.

The allegations levelled against Rai include that he is a director of a company called Air One, a chartered plane company which hires aeroplanes and helicopters. And, as a director, he holds airport entry pass, which doesn’t require any security checks. Rai also happens to hold a Press Information Bureau (PIB) accreditation card as a journalist. The CBI has alleged that Rai hid this fact (that he is a director of Air One) while applying for the PIB card.

Note: The short has been updated to indicate that formal arrests are yet to be made. 

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