After CBI's FIR, ED likely to file PMLA case against Amnesty International (India)

Following an FIR registered by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate is mulling over registering a money laundering case against Amnesty International (India). CBI registered a fresh FIR against Amnesty and its related entities on vember 5.   NGO has been booked for allegedly violating FCRA rms. Sources say that ED is going through documents and will soon register an ECIR (FIR equivalent) against Amnesty International and its or entities. After a reference from Department of Revenue, ED initiated its probe in August 2018 under Foreign Exchange Manment Act. A report of same has been shared with CBI and Home Secretary, MHA.

ED's te to MHA

ED had sent a secret te to MHA on 20th December 2018, detailing findings of its investigation. It found that company had received over Rs.51 crore till last year from Amnesty International-United Kingdom as export proceeds/advances for services, whose documentary proof it did t submit with authorised dealer bank. Amnesty entered into 45 contracts with Amnesty International-United Kingdom, involving GBP 68,35,592 and Rs.20,59,998. Six of agreements pertained to Kashmir-related activities/access to justice, and two were linked to 1984-Sikh massacre related activities.

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CBI had registered an FIR after receiving a complaint from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and a report from Enforcement Directorate. CBI carried out searches at four locations connected to Amnesty India's offices in Bengaluru and Delhi after filing FIR. investigation findings of Ministry of Home Affairs and Enforcement Directorate are part of 80-p CBI's FIR which has been accessed by Republic TV. CBI has alleged that Amnesty India and its related entities had violated FCRA rms.

It has been alleged that four entities of Amnesty received foreign contributions amounting to Rs 36 crore (approx) from M/s Amnesty International UK through Amnesty International India Private Limited. It was also alleged that M/s Amnesty International (UK) invested Rs 10 crore (approx) as FDI in M/s Amnesty International India Pvt Ltd, Bangalore by subscribing to Debentures. According to MHA, Amnesty India used commercial methods in order to illegally circumvent provisions of FCRA that y were obliged to observe.

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CBI sources' statement

Sources in CBI said that inspection of Books of Accounts of M/s Amnesty International India Pvt Ltd, Bangalore by MHA revealed that company allegedly indulged in activities "that were t commensurate to activities of a for-profit company but constituted activities that are eir prohibited or regulated under FCRA."

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Amnesty's statement

Amnesty in a statement released earlier said, “Over past year, a pattern of harassment has emerged every time Amnesty International India stands up and speaks out against human rights violations in India. Amnesty International India stands in full compliance with Indian and international law.”

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