Far-left Journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta apologised within hours of sharing an unverified WhatsApp message making allegations about N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons. In the post, Thakurta alleged that several relatives, friends and associates of Chandrasekaran were holding senior positions in the Tata Group and helping him in an alleged dispute with Noel Tata.
Sharing the message on X, Thakurta wrote that it had “Came as a WhatsApp message from a pro-Noel Tata person” and called it “quite an eye-opener”. The message made several claims about Chandrasekaran’s alleged family and personal connections within the Tata Group. His post also included several names whom he claimed were known to the Tata Group chairman.
However, within hours, Thakurta deleted the post and issued an apology. “I sincerely apologise for putting out a post on Shri N Chandrasekharan of the Tata Group based on a WhatsApp message that I believed was factually correct. The post had several inaccuracies and errors,” he wrote.
To whom it may concern:
— Paranjoy Guha Thakurta (@paranjoygt) September 22, 2026
I sincerely apologise for putting out a post on Shri N Chandrasekharan of the Tata group based on a WhatsApp message that I believed was factually correct. The post had several inaccuracies and errors. As soon as these were brought to my notice, I…
He further admitted, “I am sorry, but I should not have blindly believed what was sent to me, and I should have done my due diligence more carefully.” He also offered an “unconditional” apology to Chandrasekaran, his relatives and associates.
Paranjoy Guha Thakurta has made a long video criticising misinformation on WhatsApp
The incident has also drawn attention to Thakurta’s earlier criticism of misinformation spread through WhatsApp. He has a video titled “The Great Indian WhatsApp University & the Hacking of Democracy”, in which he criticised the spread of information through the messaging platform.
The latest episode has therefore brought his own use of an unverified WhatsApp message into focus, after he shared it publicly on social media.
Thakurta was also linked to a case involving illegal foreign funding of NewsClick
Thakurta’s name had earlier appeared in the illegal funding of digital news platform NewsClick. The Enforcement Directorate searched premises linked to NewsClick in February 2021 while investigating foreign remittances received by the company.
In 2023, the Delhi Police Special Cell registered a UAPA case revealing that NewsClick had received illegal foreign funding routed through the US and that some of the funds had links to China. The FIR said there was a funding network involving US-based businessman Neville Roy Singham.
Thakurta was among several journalists questioned during the investigation. His name came up as beneficiaries including Gautam Navlakha and others. He had worked as a consultant for NewsClick since May 2018.
