Explained | The ED and CBI’s cases against Amnesty International India and Aakar Patel
2 years, 5 months ago

Explained | The ED and CBI’s cases against Amnesty International India and Aakar Patel

The Hindu  

The story so far: A day after the Enforcement Directorate imposed a fine of ₹51.72 crore on Amnesty India and ₹10 crore on its former CEO Aakar Patel in relation to an alleged violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, the agency on July 9 filed a chargesheet against Amnesty India and associated entities in a money laundering case. According to the ED, in 2011-12, one of the units of Amnesty India- the Amnesty International India Foundation Trust — was granted FCRA permission to receive foreign contributions of ₹1.69 crore from Amnesty International-UK. The ED said in 2018 that after denial of permissions, Amnesty India “resorted to bypass the FCRA Act” by floating a commercial entity or private company in the name of Amnesty International India Pvt. The ED had subsequently served a show-cause notice to Amnesty International India and Aakar Patel for the alleged FEMA violation involving a total of ₹51.72 crore. Responding to the recent filing of the ED’s chargesheet in the PMLA case, Amnesty India on Saturday tweeted: "We reiterate that the allegations of @dir_ed, a financial investigation agency under @FinMinIndia, that Amnesty International India was involved in ‘money laundering’, are patently untrue."

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History of this topic

NIA raids multiple places across India in Bangladesh Al-Qaida case
Trending News
1 month, 1 week ago

NIA raids multiple places across India in Bangladesh Al-Qaida case

Live Mint  

The National Investigation Agency on Monday conducted extensive searches at multiple locations across the country in connection with the activities promoted by some Bangladeshi nationals as part of terror group Al-Qaida’s conspiracy to destabilise India, according to an official statement. The searches led to the recovery of incriminating documents showing detailed banking transactions, digital devices including mobile phones, and other …

FATF report pulls up Indian govt. on risk to abuse non-profit sector faces in India: Amnesty International
3 months ago

FATF report pulls up Indian govt. on risk to abuse non-profit sector faces in India: Amnesty International

The Hindu  

The Financial Action Task Force in its mutual evaluation report has pulled up the Indian government on the risk to abuse that the non-profit sector faces in India, said the non-government organisation Amnesty International on Thursday. “The report published today, based on the fourth round of India’s evaluation on its measures to tackle illicit financing, highlights the ‘critical’ need to …

FCRA violation case: CBI registers FIR against activist Harsh Mander, his NGO; raids his residential, official premises
10 months, 3 weeks ago

FCRA violation case: CBI registers FIR against activist Harsh Mander, his NGO; raids his residential, official premises

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: The anti-graft central probe agency CBI on Friday registered a case against IAS-turned-human rights activist Harsh Mander and his NGO Centre for Equity Studies for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution Act, officials said. The officials said that following the registration of the FIR, CBI sleuths have also conducted raids at the residential and official premises of the …

CBI cracks down on cyber-enabled crime syndicates in 11 States
1 year, 2 months ago

CBI cracks down on cyber-enabled crime syndicates in 11 States

The Hindu  

The Central Bureau of Investigation has searched 76 locations across 11 States as part of the “Chakra-II” operation launched against the organised cyber-enabled financial crimes. The accused, operating nine call centres across five States/union territory, systematically preyed on foreign nationals, masquerading as technical support representatives,” said the agency. Explaining the modus operandi, the CBI said the accused would send to …

CBI books Delhi firm for cheating Union Bank of India of Rs 46 crore
1 year, 5 months ago

CBI books Delhi firm for cheating Union Bank of India of Rs 46 crore

India TV News  

The Central Bureau of Investigation filed an FIR against Delhi-based company Horizon Solution for allegedly cheating Union Bank of India to the tune of over Rs 46 crore in a loan fraud, officials said on Friday. The CBI has booked the East of Kailash-based company, its proprietor Zeba Urfi and guarantor Zaib Un Nisa on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, …

Six organisations whose foreign funding licence was suspended by govt
1 year, 9 months ago

Six organisations whose foreign funding licence was suspended by govt

Hindustan Times  

The Centre on Monday suspended the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act licence of the non-governmental organisation, Centre for Policy Research, for 180 days over an alleged violation of laws. The FCRA registration is mandatory for any NGO or association to receive foreign funds As per reports, The CPR has been asked to give clarification and documents regarding FCRA funds received by …

Raids at 5 premises in Bengaluru in connection with Chinese loan app fraud
2 years, 2 months ago

Raids at 5 premises in Bengaluru in connection with Chinese loan app fraud

India Today  

Five premises in Bengaluru were raided by the Enforcement Directorate under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act on October 19 in connection with the Chinese loan app fraud case. The case is based on 18 FIRs registered by the Cyber Crime Police Station, Bengaluru City, against numerous entities and persons in connection with their involvement in the …

ED attaches ₹1.54 crore in bank accounts of trust linked to Amnesty India
2 years, 2 months ago

ED attaches ₹1.54 crore in bank accounts of trust linked to Amnesty India

Hindustan Times  

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate on Friday said it has provisionally attached ₹1.54 crore in bank accounts of a trust linked to Amnesty India under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act ED said Amnesty International India Pvt Ltd and IAIT were formed in the year 2013-14 and 2012-13 respectively to escape the FCRA route and carried out NGO activities in …

Noshir H. Dadrawala: ‘NGOs are easy targets’
2 years, 3 months ago

Noshir H. Dadrawala: ‘NGOs are easy targets’

The Hindu  

Published : Sep 22, 2022 10:15 IST Less than a year ago, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs refused to renew the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act licences of hundreds of NGOs on the grounds that they were not satisfied with their books. In September, the Income Tax Department “surveyed” the Centre for Policy Research, the Independent and Public-Spirited Media Foundation …

ED raids Chinese loan app firms and payment gateway firms in Bengaluru, freezes accounts worth ₹17 crore
2 years, 3 months ago

ED raids Chinese loan app firms and payment gateway firms in Bengaluru, freezes accounts worth ₹17 crore

The Hindu  

The Directorate of Enforcement conducted raids on six loan app firms owned by Chinese nationals across the city and freezed accounts with ₹17 crores. The premises of Razorpay Pvt Ltd, Cashfree Payments, Paytm Payment Services Ltd and entities controlled and operated by Chinese persons were covered in the search operation. During the search operation, it was noticed that the entities …

Amnesty indulged in 47 NGO-like activities using foreign funds without FCRA clearance, fanned 1984 Sikh massacre during 2017 elections, ED says
2 years, 5 months ago

Amnesty indulged in 47 NGO-like activities using foreign funds without FCRA clearance, fanned 1984 Sikh massacre during 2017 elections, ED says

Op India  

Enforcement Directorate has alleged that Amnesty International UK routed more than Rs 51 crore to Amnesty India in violation of FCRA to “fund anti-national activities in the guise of export of services”. The chargesheet was filed by ED on July 9 against Amnesty International India Pvt Ltd, Indians for Amnesty International Trust, and former AIIPL CEOs G Ananthapadmanabhan and Aakar …

ED chargesheet reveals Amnesty may have taken foreign funds without permission under guise of FDI through dubious front: Report
2 years, 5 months ago

ED chargesheet reveals Amnesty may have taken foreign funds without permission under guise of FDI through dubious front: Report

Op India  

Days after the prosecution complaint was filed against Amnesty International India in a money laundering case, the charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate revealed that Aakar Patel who was the director of Amnesty International India Pvt Ltd, was also the Trustee of Indians for Amnesty International Trust from 2015 to 2019. The CBI had filed charges against AIIPL, IAIT, …

₹51cr FEMA fine on Amnesty India and ₹10cr on Aakar Patel: ED
2 years, 5 months ago

₹51cr FEMA fine on Amnesty India and ₹10cr on Aakar Patel: ED

Hindustan Times  

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday levied a penalty on Amnesty India International Private Limited and its former CEO Aakar Patel for alleged violations of the country’s foreign exchange law, the agency said in a statement. we will fight it and win in court.’’ The agency’s adjucating authority has ordered AIIPL to pay a penalty of ₹51.72 crore and Patel has …

ED imposes ₹51.72 crore and ₹10 crore penalties on Amnesty India, Aakar Patel
2 years, 5 months ago

ED imposes ₹51.72 crore and ₹10 crore penalties on Amnesty India, Aakar Patel

Op India  

On Friday, the Enforcement Directorate issued a show-cause notice to Amnesty India International Pvt. In a press release, it stated, “ED, had initiated investigation under FEMA on the basis of information that Amnesty International, UK had been remitting huge amount of foreign contribution through its Indian entities following FDI route, in order to evade Foreign Contribution Regulation Act to expand …

ED slaps penalities on Amnesty India International, Aakar Patel
2 years, 5 months ago

ED slaps penalities on Amnesty India International, Aakar Patel

The Hindu  

The Adjudicating Authority of the Enforcement Directorate has imposed a penalty of ₹51.72 crore on Amnesty India International Private Limited and ₹10 crore on its former Chief Executive Officer Aakar Patel in connection with alleged violation of Foreign Exchange Management Act in 2019. “After getting a detailed reply from the AIIPL and following the principal of natural justice, the Adjudicating …

FCRA violations: CBI raids 40 locations in countrywide crackdown; NGOs, MHA officials under scanner
2 years, 7 months ago

FCRA violations: CBI raids 40 locations in countrywide crackdown; NGOs, MHA officials under scanner

India TV News  

Highlights CBI carried out major countrywide raids at 40 locations in relation to FCRA violations NGOs, MHA officials are under scanner under this major crackdown Rs 2 crore hawala transactions have been detected so far FCRA violations: CBI is carrying out major countrywide raids at 40 locations against MHA officials, NGOs for facilitating alleged FCRA violations, PTI quoted officials saying. …

"Aakar Patel Actively Connected With Amnesty International, Has Sufficient Contacts Outside India": CBI Justifies Issuance Of LOC Before Delhi Court
2 years, 8 months ago

"Aakar Patel Actively Connected With Amnesty International, Has Sufficient Contacts Outside India": CBI Justifies Issuance Of LOC Before Delhi Court

Live Law  

Justifying the necessity to issue a look out circular against former Amnesty International India Chief Aakar Patel, the Central Bureau of Investigation has told a Delhi Court that Patel is actively connected with Amnesty International and has sufficient contacts outside India. The note has been filed in the revision petition filed by CBI against the Trial Court order which directed …

Delhi court stays order asking CBI to retract lookout notice against Aakar Patel
2 years, 8 months ago

Delhi court stays order asking CBI to retract lookout notice against Aakar Patel

Hindustan Times  

A Delhi court on Tuesday reserved orders on a petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation seeking revision of a trial court order which asked the agency to immediately withdraw the Look Out Circular issued by it against former Amnesty International India chief Aakar Patel for alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. On April 8, special judge …

Ex-Amnesty India head Aakar Patel stopped at Bengaluru airport: Details
2 years, 8 months ago

Ex-Amnesty India head Aakar Patel stopped at Bengaluru airport: Details

Op India  

Former head of Amnesty India, Aakar Patel has been stopped at Bengaluru airport from boarding a flight to the USA. immigration says CBI has put me on the list why @PMOIndia — Aakar Patel April 6, 2022 Patel said that the CBI officer informed him that he is on a Look Out Circular because of the case against Amnesty International …

Aakar Patel: Amnesty official barred from leaving India
2 years, 8 months ago

Aakar Patel: Amnesty official barred from leaving India

Al Jazeera  

Aakar Patel says immigration authorities stopped him from flying to the US after he was placed on a ‘look-out circular’. New Delhi, India – Indian immigration authorities have barred Aakar Patel, chair of Amnesty International in India, from travelling to the United States because of an order issued by the Central Bureau of Investigation over a case against the rights …

CBI lodges FIR against UP-based firm for defrauding banks of Rs 6,883 crore
3 years, 4 months ago

CBI lodges FIR against UP-based firm for defrauding banks of Rs 6,883 crore

India Today  

The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered an FIR against an Uttar Pradesh-based firm for defrauding at least 10 banks to the tune of Rs 6,833 crore, officials said. The case has been lodged by the federal probe agency on the complaint of Central Bank of India against Shri Lakshmi Cotsyn Limited, its directors - Dr Mata Prasad Agarwal, Sharda …

Opposition Unites Over Pegasus Project, BJP Continues To Deny Snooping
3 years, 5 months ago

Opposition Unites Over Pegasus Project, BJP Continues To Deny Snooping

The Quint  

International Conspiracy: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Revisiting the international conspiracy theory, UP CM Adityanath said, “The opposition parties including the Congress are involved in dirty and controversial politics even when the country is in the midst of a pandemic”, The Wire reported. He added, “The opposition, knowingly or unknowingly, is falling prey to the international conspiracy.” Similarly, Assam CM …

Amnesty International India's Assets Worth Over Rs 17 Cr Attached in Money Laundering Case
3 years, 10 months ago

Amnesty International India's Assets Worth Over Rs 17 Cr Attached in Money Laundering Case

News 18  

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday said it has attached over Rs 17 crore bank deposits in connection with its money laundering case against two entities of Amnesty International, the global human rights watchdog. This money laundering case of the ED is based on a Central Bureau of Investigation FIR filed against AIIPL, IAIT, Amnesty International India Foundation Trust and Amnesty …

ED attaches assets worth Rs 17 crore of Amnesty International India in money laundering case
3 years, 10 months ago

ED attaches assets worth Rs 17 crore of Amnesty International India in money laundering case

India Today  

Nearly five months after Amnesty International announced the closure of its operations in India, the Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday attached movable properties worth Rs 17.66 crore of two entities of the NGO in connection with a money laundering case. In a statement, the ED said a provisional order had been issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act "attaching bank …

ED arrests two in PMC Bank fraud case
3 years, 11 months ago

ED arrests two in PMC Bank fraud case

The Hindu  

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested two people following raids on the premises of a firm promoted by a Maharashtra MLA for alleged “illegal diversion of bank funds” in the Rs 4,300-crore PMC Bank fraud and money laundering case, official sources said on Saturday. On Friday, the agency searched five residential and business premises linked to the Viva Group, promoted by …

Karnataka High Court Allows Amnesty International To Withdraw Rs 60 Lakhs From Bank Accounts Rejecting ED's Objection
4 years ago

Karnataka High Court Allows Amnesty International To Withdraw Rs 60 Lakhs From Bank Accounts Rejecting ED's Objection

Live Law  

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday partly allowed the petition filed by international human rights body, Amnesty International's India offices, challenging the communication issued by the Enforcement Directorate to banks directing them to freeze the accounts held by trust. A bench of Justice P S Dinesh Kumar said :"Petition is partly allowed the petitioner is allowed to withdraw an amount …

Who killed Amnesty International India?
4 years, 2 months ago

Who killed Amnesty International India?

Live Mint  

That’s how Amnesty International India described the Union government’s decision to freeze its bank accounts on 10 September. “All the laws used against dissent today—from the Unlawful Activities Act to the FCRA—are the legacies of the previous government,” says Shailesh Rai, who was policy director at Amnesty International India until 2019. “The CBI raids on Citizens for Justice and Peace, …

Amnesty International | On the front lines of rights and rows
4 years, 2 months ago

Amnesty International | On the front lines of rights and rows

The Hindu  

Just past 10am on September 29, a notice went up on global human rights agency Amnesty International’s India webpage. While Amnesty’s notice said the actions by the government were part of an “incessant witch-hunt” that had failed to produce evidence of wrong-doing, the government said it had a long list of charges pertaining to the funding of the group and …

Who killed Amnesty International India?
4 years, 2 months ago

Who killed Amnesty International India?

Live Mint  

That’s how Amnesty International India described the Union government’s decision to freeze its bank accounts on 10 September. “All the laws used against dissent today—from the Unlawful Activities Act to the FCRA—are the legacies of the previous government,” says Shailesh Rai, who was policy director at Amnesty International India until 2019. “The CBI raids on Citizens for Justice and Peace, …

NGOs Expected to Adhere to All Our Laws: MEA on Action Against Amnesty International
4 years, 2 months ago

NGOs Expected to Adhere to All Our Laws: MEA on Action Against Amnesty International

News 18  

Faced with criticism over action against human rights organisation Amnesty International, India on Thursday said it expects other governments not to condone contravention of the country's laws by any entity. "NGOs are expected to adhere to all our laws, including in respect of foreign funding just as they presumably would in other countries, including the US and in the European …

U.S., E.U. should not condone Amnesty International’s actions: Government
4 years, 2 months ago

U.S., E.U. should not condone Amnesty International’s actions: Government

The Hindu  

Responding sharply to the U.S. and the European governments for expressing their concerns about the investigations into the Amnesty International, the government said foreign governments must not condone NGOs that break Indian laws. Over the past few days, the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, the United Kingdom Foreign Office and the European Union have issued …

"Amnesty's Allegations Are Serious" NHRC Issues Notice To Govt. On Amnesty's Decision To Close India Operations Because Of "Witch-hunt" By Govt.
4 years, 2 months ago

"Amnesty's Allegations Are Serious" NHRC Issues Notice To Govt. On Amnesty's Decision To Close India Operations Because Of "Witch-hunt" By Govt.

Live Law  

National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the matter and directs issuance of the notice to the Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. "The Amnesty International is a reputed non-governmental organization raising its voice globally whenever there is an incident of violation of human rights of the people. The Commission finds it necessary to go …

Amnesty Involved in Multiple Illegalities, Says BJP as NGO Halts India Ops Alleging 'Witch-hunt'
4 years, 2 months ago

Amnesty Involved in Multiple Illegalities, Says BJP as NGO Halts India Ops Alleging 'Witch-hunt'

News 18  

The BJP Tuesday alleged Amnesty International is involved in “multiple illegalities” and it has no right to lecture on propriety, hours after the human rights watchdog said it was halting India operations over an “incessant witch-hunt”. “Multiple illegalities have been undertaken by Amnesty International, therefore, it has no right to lecture on propriety, especially when it faces action over its …

Amnesty Used Dubious Processes To Secure Funds, Must Not Comment On India’s Democratic Character: MHA
4 years, 2 months ago

Amnesty Used Dubious Processes To Secure Funds, Must Not Comment On India’s Democratic Character: MHA

ABP News  

Amnesty International had received permission under the Foreign Contribution Act only once and that too twenty years ago. However, in order to circumvent the FCRA regulations, Amnesty UK remitted large amounts of money to four entities registered in India, by classifying it as Foreign Direct Investment. Countering Amnesty's allegations of a government "witch hunt," MHA said that India does not …

Human Rights Can't Be Excuse to Defy Law of Land, Says Govt as Amnesty India Accuses it of 'Witch-Hunt'
4 years, 2 months ago

Human Rights Can't Be Excuse to Defy Law of Land, Says Govt as Amnesty India Accuses it of 'Witch-Hunt'

News 18  

Hours after human rights organisation Amnesty International India announced it will close its operations in the country after being “compelled to let go off staff in India” and halt all its research work since all its bank accounts have been frozen, the central government rebutted its statement. In order to circumvent FCRA regulations, Amnesty UK remitted large amounts of money …

Did Amnesty International India have to shut due to Delhi Riots report?
4 years, 2 months ago

Did Amnesty International India have to shut due to Delhi Riots report?

Op India  

Amnesty International, one of the shadiest non-governmental organisations, was forced to shut down its operations in India on Tuesday after law enforcement authorities froze their bank accounts. Its executive director also insinuated without any evidence that it was ‘state Avinash Kumar, Executive Director of the NGO, said, “The continuing crackdown on Amnesty International India over the last two years and …

Russia, China, Israel and Now India: Countries where Amnesty Has Had Rough Time with Govts
4 years, 2 months ago

Russia, China, Israel and Now India: Countries where Amnesty Has Had Rough Time with Govts

News 18  

Human rights organisation Amnesty International India on Tuesday announced that it will be shutting its operations in the country after it was “compelled to let go off staff in India” and halt all its research work as all its bank accounts have been frozen. Avinash Kumar, Executive Director, Amnesty International India said the continuing crackdown on the organisation over the …

ED Probing Private Company to Amnesty International, Not NGO, Say Govt Sources
4 years, 2 months ago

ED Probing Private Company to Amnesty International, Not NGO, Say Govt Sources

News 18  

New Delhi: There is no ED investigation against Amnesty International India Foundation, which on Tuesday declared halting its operations in the country, but against a private company linked to the NGO that allegedly received dubious export proceeds worth over Rs 51 crore, government sources said. They said the Enforcement Directorate, a federal probe agency to check money laundering and forex …

Amnesty Shuts India Operations, Accuses Govt of ‘Witch-Hunt’ and ‘Harassment’
4 years, 2 months ago

Amnesty Shuts India Operations, Accuses Govt of ‘Witch-Hunt’ and ‘Harassment’

News 18  

Human rights organisation Amnesty International India on Tuesday announced that it will be shutting its operations in the country after it was “compelled to let go off staff in India” and halt all its research work as all its bank accounts have been frozen. “The complete freezing of Amnesty International India’s bank accounts by the government of India, which it …

Amnesty International halts India operations
4 years, 2 months ago

Amnesty International halts India operations

The Hindu  

Amnesty International India on Tuesday said the government had frozen all its bank accounts, leading to all of its work in the country coming to a halt. For a movement that has done nothing but raise its voices against injustice, this latest attack is akin to freezing dissent,” Amnesty International India executive director Avinash Kumar said. The release further said …

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