đThe ongoing legal proceedings mark a significant development in the scrutiny of NGOs receiving foreign funds in India.
đThe Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on January 23 filed a charge sheet against the research and advocacy group Oxfam India and its former CEO, Amitabh Behar, in connection with alleged violations of regulations concerning the receipt of foreign funds. The charge sheet was submitted before a special court, with both the organization and Behar, who now serves as the executive director of Oxfam International, named as accused, reports said.
đ°This development follows the registration of a first information report (FIR) in April 2023, based on a complaint lodged by the Ministry of Home Affairs. According to officials, the complaint, now part of the FIR, alleges that Oxfam India, despite its Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration being revoked, attempted to bypass the law and continue channeling foreign funds through alternative methods.
The complaint also claims that email communications uncovered during an income tax survey conducted by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) suggest that Oxfam India had plans to pressure the Indian government ꌥfor the renewal of its FCRA registration through foreign governments and international institutions. It further accuses the organization of using its influence and reach to rally multilateral foreign organizations to intervene with the Indian government on its behalf.
đźDespite these allegations, Oxfam India has strongly maintained that it is fully compliant with Indian laws. In a statement, the organization reiterated that it has adhered to all statutory requirements, including timely filing of FCRA returns, since its inception. "Oxfam India has been cooperating with all government agencies since its FCRA registration was not renewed in December 2021," the statement read.
âThe ongoing legal proceedings mark a significant development in the scrutiny of NGOs receiving foreign funds in India, as authorities continue to monitor compliance with the FCRA, a law designed to regulate foreign donations to Indian organizations.