Searches in New Delhi and Mumbai began in the weeks following the broadcast of a documentary critical of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Britain, the network claimed in a statement.

At the same time, the channel said it was fully cooperating with the authorities.

"We hope to have this situation resolved as soon as possible," the short statement added.

"Although the documentary was only televised in Britain, the Indian government attempted to block people sharing "India: The Modi Question" online, calling it hostile propaganda and anti-Indian garbage with a colonial mindset, the channel noted.

The documentary focused on the prime minister's role in the 2002 anti-Muslim violence in Gujarat when he was chief minister of the state.

It is also noted that the Indian opposition criticized the Modi government for its search of the BBC offices, saying it was afraid of criticism.