Indian authorities are using tax evasion charges to silence critics, says Human Rights Watch

The Human Rights Watch on Friday accused the Indian authorities of using politically motivated allegations of tax evasion and financial irregularities to “silence human rights activists, journalists, and other critics of the government”.

In a statement, the human rights group expressed concern about a number of cases, including tax raids on actor Sonu Sood, human rights activist Harsh Mander and digital media outlets Newslaundry and Newsclick.

It referred to raids on four journalists in Jammu and Kashmir – Hilal Mir, Showkat Motta, Mohammad Shah Abbass and Azhar Qadri. The statement also mentioned the first information report filed by the Uttar Pradesh Police against journalist Rana Ayyub.

The four journalists were questioned in a case about a blog called “Kashmir Fight”. A post on the blog had sought to instigate people against the country and malign nationalists in Kashmir, PTI reported, citing sources.

Referring to these cases, the Human Rights Watch said that the raids were part of the Centre’s “escalating crackdown” on freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

“The authorities have brought political motivated criminal cases, including under broadly worded terrorism and sedition laws, against activists, journalists, academics, students, and others,” the human rights group said. “They have also used foreign funding regulations and allegations of financial misconduct to target outspoken groups.”

The New York-based organisation noted that the Editors Guild of…

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