Police Enforce Delhi High Court Order, Evict UNI Staff
Synopsis
The United News of India faced police eviction from its central Delhi office based on a Delhi High Court order, raising significant concerns about press freedom in India. This incident follows UNI's management change post-bankruptcy, highlighting ongoing tensions in media operations.
Key Takeaways
Police enforced a court order to evict UNI staff from their office.
The action has raised serious concerns about press freedom in India.
UNI recently underwent management changes after emerging from bankruptcy proceedings .
The Delhi High Court supported the cancellation of UNI's land allotment.
UNI has been a significant player in India's news landscape since its establishment in 1959 .
New Delhi, March 20 (NationPress) On Friday evening, the United News of India (UNI) office in central Delhi was the scene of a significant disturbance as law enforcement, accompanied by legal representatives and female officers, executed a directive from the Delhi High Court. This order aimed to limit access to the premises prior to an impending sealing due to alleged infractions, according to an eyewitness.
Footage shared on social media depicted police helping UNI staff vacate the building while some employees requested further information regarding the situation.
The agency, which underwent a management transition after emerging from bankruptcy last year, expressed discontent regarding the incident in a social media statement.
“The closure of the United News of India (UNI) office, one of India's oldest news agencies, has sparked worries about the state of press freedom,” the statement read.
Sources indicated that the police's decision to clear the premises had its basis in a court ruling concerning alleged breaches of the conditions under which the new management obtained possession of the property on Rafi Marg.
“The Delhi High Court upheld the annulment of the land allocation made to UNI,” a source revealed.
The court, in rejecting UNI’s appeal, noted that the cancellation order from the Land and Development Office (L&DO) dated March 29, 2023, was “entirely justified and legally necessary” given the circumstances of the case, the source added.
Several employees remarked that they were not afforded sufficient time to respond, while a police official asserted that the management had been informed of the court developments before the eviction team arrived.
Established in 1959, UNI is headquartered in a sprawling British-era bungalow located on Rafi Marg in the national capital, close to Patel Chowk Metro station.
Point of View
It's crucial to recognize the impact of judicial actions on press freedom. The eviction of UNI staff underlines the tensions between legal frameworks and media operations, reminding us of the ongoing challenges faced by news agencies in India.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the UNI office evicted?
The eviction was carried out by police to enforce a Delhi High Court order that restricted access to the premises due to alleged violations of the terms under which the new management was granted possession.
What were the concerns raised by UNI regarding the eviction?
UNI expressed concerns over press freedom, stating that the sealing of their office raises significant issues regarding the operation of one of the country's oldest news agencies.
What did the Delhi High Court say about the cancellation of land allotment?
The court upheld the cancellation of land allotment in favor of UNI, declaring the order from the Land and Development Office as fully justified and legally inevitable.
How did the staff react during the eviction?
Some employees voiced their concerns about not being given adequate time to respond to the eviction, while police confirmed management was aware of the court's directives.
When was UNI established?
The United News of India was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in a historic bungalow in central Delhi.
