News Agency Premises Vacated Without Notice, Staff Allege Forceful Eviction
New Delhi - In a shocking and unprecedented development in independent India’s media landscape, the office of United News of India was forcibly vacated on Friday evening without any prior notice. The operation involved a heavy deployment of personnel from the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces.
The agency has been functioning for decades from its office located at 9 Rafi Marg. According to reports, a group of government officials, accompanied by nearly 300 police and paramilitary personnel as well as lawyers, entered the premises and instructed employees to immediately vacate the newsroom.
No Written Order Presented, Employees Allege Misconduct
Officials reportedly claimed that the action was being carried out under a court order, but failed to produce any written documentation when requested. Employees were warned of forceful action if they did not comply.
When staff members sought time to contact senior management and requested to see official notice, tensions escalated. Several employees, including women, were allegedly manhandled—dragged from their workstations and pushed out of the newsroom. Staff also reported instances of verbal abuse during the eviction process.
Access Restricted, Journalists and Management Barred Entry
Security personnel took control of the premises’ main gate, preventing journalists who were out on assignments, as well as senior management officials, from re-entering. Many employees were unable to retrieve their personal belongings left inside.
Operations Halted, Future of Agency Uncertain
The sudden eviction led to an immediate disruption in news transmission, affecting more than 500 subscribers of UNI’s English, Hindi, and Urdu services.
The circumstances surrounding the action remain unclear, particularly given the absence of prior notice and senior management at the time. The incident has raised serious concerns over the future of the historic news agency and the livelihoods of hundreds of employees and their families.