UNI’s Premises Sealed, Editors Guild Condemns ‘Excessive Force’

The Editors Guild of India has strongly criticised what it termed as “excessive force” and “undue haste” in the sealing of the premises of United News of India (UNI), following a Delhi High Court order cancelling the agency’s land allotment.

In a statement issued by Guild President Sanjay Kapoor, General Secretary Raghavan Srinivasan, and Treasurer Teresa Rehman, the body said that while it does not question the implementation of the court’s order, it is deeply concerned about the lack of due process and the manner in which it was executed. The High Court reportedly pronounced its order around 1:30 pm on March 20, 2026.

However, within hours—and even before the order was made publicly available online—hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel arrived at UNI’s office at Rafi Marg in New Delhi.

According to journalists present at the site, staff members were forcibly evicted while at work. They alleged that no formal notice was shown, and authorities did not allow time for the management to arrive or for employees to collect personal belongings. Some staff members, including women journalists, also alleged manhandling during the eviction process—claims denied by the police.

The Guild said the swift action and heavy deployment of force sent a “chilling message” to the media. It added that the sealing of the office has disrupted news dissemination to UNI’s subscribers and cast uncertainty over the future of the organisation and the livelihoods of its employees. The Guild urged authorities to act with restraint and avoid actions that could impede the functioning of a free press in a democracy.

Reports indicate that the premises at 9 Rafi Marg were sealed by the Delhi Police after the High Court upheld a decision by the Land and Development Office under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to cancel UNI’s land allotment. The land had originally been allotted for the development of a joint office complex for media organisations. After evacuating the premises, authorities sealed the gate and posted an official notice stating that possession had been taken in compliance with the High Court’s March 20 order.

The notice warned that any unauthorised entry or use of the property would invite legal action. UNI had challenged the cancellation of the allotment in court, citing financial constraints and delays in approvals.

However, the High Court rejected these arguments, noting that despite multiple extensions over several decades, the agency had failed to initiate construction or formalise agreements with co-allottees. The court observed that UNI had effectively acknowledged its financial incapacity and lack of progress, and termed the delay of over 40 years a serious violation of the allotment conditions. Officials estimate the value of the 5,289.52-square-metre plot at approximately Rs.

409 crore at current market rates.

Meanwhile, The Statesman, UNI’s current owner, also condemned the action, calling it an “unprecedented atrocity” and an attack on media freedom.