The office of news agency United News of India (UNI) at 9, Rafi Marg in New Delhi was sealed on 20 March 2026, following a directive from the Delhi High Court over land lease violations. The operation was carried out by the land and development office (L&DO) under the Ministry of housing and urban affairs, with heavy deployment of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel at the site.
The court action stemmed from alleged long-standing violations linked to the land allotment. The agency had been allotted the prime plot in 1979 but failed to construct the required composite office building for over four decades, despite multiple extensions, according to the authorities quoted by media reports.
The authorities also cited persistent non-compliance, including non-payment of ground rent for several years and a lack of financial capacity or intent to develop the land.
The court further noted instances of unauthorized use of the premises, including commercial activity such as operating a canteen and attempts to lease portions of the property. The sealing followed the dismissal of UNI’s petition challenging the 2023 cancellation of its land allotment.
UNI and its owner, The Statesman, alleged that the move was an attack on press freedom. The staff claimed they were forcibly evicted, manhandled, and not given time to retrieve personal belongings. The Statesman Limited had acquired the news agency in early 2025 following a National Company Law Tribunal approval.
Delhi Police denied the allegations, stating that due process was followed and the entire operation was recorded for transparency. A notice at the site now states that the property has been taken over by the Government of India and that unauthorized entry is prohibited.
UNI tweeted, “The sealing of the office of United News of India (UNI), one of the country’s oldest and most respected news agencies, has raised serious concerns over press freedom. Staff members were forcibly evicted, with several not allowed to retrieve their personal belongings. Female journalists were manhandled by teams of Delhi Police. Some Delhi Police personnel were intoxicated while on duty. Two lawyers and Delhi Police personnel abused several individuals.”
The Statesman tweeted, “In an unprecedented atrocity and attack on freedom of media in India, the Rafi Marg office of the nation’s oldest news agency, United News of India (UNI), was literally attacked by a police force that would put an anti-terror operation to shame. Employees were not given time to even collect their belongings or hear from management. The management has been left outside, and employees are being beaten inside.”
The Press Club of India expressed shock at the mistreatment of journalists during the sealing action and condemned the “high-handedness unleashed on journalists, including women.” It urged the authorities to take prompt action against those responsible for the misconduct.
