Bharat Samachar

Under Operation 136 : Part II released by Cobrapost on 25 May 2018, Marketing and Sales Head along with Editor-in-Chief and Owner of Bharat Samachar agree to promote firebrand Hindutva leaders and attack Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party and Congress.[12] The media houses named in the undercover investigation include Times of India, India Today, Hindustan Times, Zee News, Network 18, Star India, Paytm, Bharat Samachar, ABP News, Dainik Jagaran, Radio One, Red FM, Lokmat, ABN Andhra Jyothy, TV5, Dinamalar, Big FM, K News, India Voice, The New Indian Express, MVTV and Open magazine.[13][12][14] The portal disclosed how Bartaman Patrika and Daikik Sambad declined to distribute content with religious undercurrent.[15]

The Income Tax Department raided premises of Bharat Samachar in July 2021. In a move that raised concerns over press freedom, the Income Tax Department conducted raids at multiple locations, including the premises of Bharat Samachar, as well as one of the largest Hindi media groups, Dainik Bhaskar. The raids, carried out under the pretext of alleged "tax evasion," were strongly condemned by the Indian Journalists Union.[16]

Ashok Gehlot, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, has criticised the Modi government, alleging that it cannot tolerate even the slightest criticism. He made these remarks in response to the raids conducted by the Income Tax Department on multiple media organisations, including Bharat Samachar and Dainik Bhaskar.[17]

The timing of these raids, particularly in the aftermath of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, has led to speculation about the authorities' intentions and their impact on press freedom. The Indian Journalists Union expressed apprehensions that the raids might be an attempt to stifle critical media voices and intimidate independent journalism. [18]

Bharat Samachar, along with other affected media organisations, vehemently denied any wrongdoing and maintained that they have adhered to all legal and financial regulations. The outcomes of the income tax raids and the subsequent legal proceedings are yet to be determined.[19]

The incident has sparked widespread discussions on the importance of protecting press freedom and ensuring the independence of media organisations in a democratic society. As per department, 3 crore cash was seized and 200 crore unaccounted transactions were unearthed along with 15 shell companies for Money laundering.