The Delhi Union of Journalists has expressed outrage at the manhandling of UNI journalists by the Delhi Police on March 20, 2026. The police entered the UNI newsrooms in large numbers and demanded that journalists peacefully working the night shift immediately leave the premises. They were told UNI was being evicted following a High Court Order. No Order was shown. 

When the surprised journalists asked for time to inform their management, many of them were manhandled. Women journalists too were physically pushed out as video footage reveals. No time was given for people to retrieve their personal papers and belongings. We severely condemn this arbitrary action. 

UNI, the second oldest news agency in the country, has been severely mismanaged over the past decades. It was the responsibility of the current management to inform employees of the High Court Order that came earlier in the day, anticipate the eviction and protect employees from harm. Regrettably, they did not do so. 

The UNI's leased plot of land and office in the heart of Delhi has long been a prime target, with various media organisations vying for its control and ownership. The Union Government has dealt a death blow to the news agency by cancelling the lease. 

In the past the government tried to change the lease conditions and bring in other media players, promising them a share in a new building to be constructed on the plot. Earlier UNI managements challenged these orders in court. Meanwhile, the agency struggled financially, especially after the government withdrew subscriptions for Prasar Bharati and other government bodies. UNI employees suffered the consequences, with years of delayed salaries and other dues.

After years of struggle in and outside courts by employees, including retirees and those who had left UNI, the agency was declared bankrupt by the National Company Law Tribunal. It was then taken over by The Statesman which paid a small percentage of their dues to the employees. 

The DUJ has expressed its deepest solidarity with the UNI employees who now face a fresh challenge. It has called upon The Statesman management to fulfill its responsibilities, continue to run the agency and pay the journalists and other employees their full dues.