The Central Bureau of Investigation filed its charge-sheet against NGO Oxfam India before the special court in the national capital on Thursday. The organisation is accused of collecting foreign funds violating norms. The organisation’s FCRA license was suspended in January 2022.
The central agency has filed charge-sheet against Oxfam India and its former CEO Amitabh Behar, who is currently executive director of Oxfam International for alleged violations of rules and regulations related to foreign funds, investigators said. The case was registered against Oxfam India in April 2023, based on a complaint from the Union home ministry.
The central agency has accused the NGO of trying to continue operating with foreign funds in India despite its application for FCRA licence renewal being rejected. “Oxfam India was planning to create a structure to continue its operations with foreign funds even after its application for FCRA renewal was rejected,” Hindustan Times reported.
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IT searches conducted at the premises of Oxfam as part of the probe revealed the organisation was planning to pressure the Indian government for renewal of its FCRA licence through foreign governments and foreign institutions. In its complaint, the home ministry alleged, “Oxfam India has the reach and influence to request multilateral foreign organisations to intervene on its behalf with the Government of India.”
In an earlier statement, Oxfam India had said it is fully compliant with Indian laws. It said, "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," PTI reported.
