New Delhi: Following the hue and cry raised over the raids on the residences of NDTV promoters Prannoy and Radhika Roy, CBI on Tuesday said it fully respects the freedom of press and is committed to the free functioning of news operations. It said, denigrating the allegations at the stage of investigation and wrongly accusing the agency of acting under pressure is uncalled for and is an attempt to malign its image. 

In a statement on the raids on promoters of NDTV, CBI clarified that searches were carried out at the premises of NDTV and their offices based on search warrants issued by the Court. 

The agency said it has not conducted any search of registered office of NDTV, media studio, news room or premises connected with media operations and the result of investigation will be filed before the court based on the evidence adduced during investigation. 

The clarification came in the backdrop of allegations levelled by the NDTV against the CBI following the raids. CBI registered the case based on the complaint of a shareholder of ICICI bank and NDTV after carrying out due diligence.

The investigation is being conducted as per the due process of law and under the jurisdiction of the Court of law. Citing a previous Supreme Court order, the CBI said it has jurisdiction to take up investigation of the cases of private banks.