The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday carried out searches at the offices of Oxfam India in connection with its probe into the alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act. The agency has also registered a case against the NGO and its office-bearers.
The CBI filed the FIR under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 following a complaint filed by MHA Director Jeetendar Chadha.
The MHA complaint alleged that though Oxfam India's FCRA registration ceased, it planned to circumvent the law by taking other routes to channelise funds.
"Email communication found during IT (income tax) survey by the CBDT shows that Oxfam India has been planning to pressure Indian government for renewal of FCRA through foreign governments and foreign institutions," it alleged.
"The Oxfam India has the reach and influence to request multilateral foreign organisations to intervene on its behalf with the Government of India," it further said.
Earlier this month, the Union Home Ministry had recommended a CBI probe against Oxfam India after it found that the NGO continued to transfer foreign contributions to various entities, including other NGOs, even after registering under the FCRA, which prohibits such transfers after amendment of the law in September 2020.
The MHA recommendation came after an Income Tax Department survey during which multiple emails were found which revealed that Oxfam India was allegedly planning to circumvent provisions of the FCRA by routing funds to other FCRA-registered associations or through the for-profit consultancy route.
Reports claimed that Oxfam India allegedly routed funds to the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Policy Research (CPR) through its associates and employees in the form of commission.
The TDS data of Oxfam India allegedly showed payment of Rs 12,71,188 to the CPR in 2019-20. Oxfam India received foreign contributions amounting to about Rs 1.50 crore directly into its foreign contribution utilisation account instead of receiving them in the designated FCRA account, said a PTI report, quoting sources.
Oxfam India's FCRA licence was suspended in January 2022, after which the NGO filed a revision petition with the home ministry.
In a statement earlier this month, Oxfam India said it is fully compliant with Indian laws.
"Oxfam India is fully compliant with Indian laws and has filed all its statutory compliances, including Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) returns, in a timely manner since its inception. Oxfam India has been cooperating with all government agencies since its FCRA registration wasn't renewed in December 2021," the NGO said.
The group also said it has filed a plea in the Delhi High Court against the decision to not renew its FCRA registration.
With PTI inputs
