Two officials arrested over alleged FCRA registration payments, Indian ministry says
India’s Ministry of Home Affairs says Delhi Police arrested two government officials over allegations that they sought illegal payments to facilitate an association’s registration or renewal under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act. The ministry said both men had served in its Foreigners Division and that the investigation continues.
Delhi Police’s Special Cell has arrested two government officials accused of seeking illegal payments in exchange for helping an association obtain or renew registration under India’s Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, the Ministry of Home Affairs said. The arrests took place in New Delhi on September 28 following information received by the ministry. The accused are described as a senior accountant and an accountant.
One of the officials is currently posted in the MHA’s Foreigners Division. The other is serving in a Pay and Accounts Office and had previously worked in the Foreigners Division, according to the ministry’s statement issued on Tuesday. The ministry said preliminary questioning indicated that the two officials had been in contact with associations and had sought gratification for facilitating their registration and renewal under the FCRA.
The allegations have not been tested in court. The MHA said further investigation was under way and that appropriate legal and departmental action would be taken against the accused officials. The statement did not identify the association allegedly involved or specify the amount of money sought.
Organisations and non-governmental organisations receiving foreign funding must register under the FCRA. The ministry acts as the nodal authority and monitors registered organisations to ensure that foreign contributions do not adversely affect India’s internal security. As of June 22, the ministry said 14,456 FCRA-registered NGOs were active in India.
It also said such organisations receive approximately ₹22,000 crore annually. The source material does not indicate whether the arrests have affected any registration decisions.
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