Chennai: CBI books NGO on charges of misusing funds for religious conversions

In a significant development, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against a Chennai based NGO, Caruna Bal Vikas, for purportedly receiving crores of rupees from a Coloro-based donor, Compassion International, which it alleges was used to 'convert' people.  BJP government h barred Compassion International from funding Indian NGOs without government's permission in May 2016. 

After decision by government, some US lawmakers h requested India to reconsider its decision. n US secretary of state John Kerry h visited India in 2017 and h tried to convince  n external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to reassess decision.

However, Union Home Ministry back n h highlighted  violation of law and stated that money given to Caruna Bal Vikas by Compassion International was being diverted for conversion activities to NGOs owing allegiance to Methodist Church, Baptist Church, Salvation Army, Christian Missionary Society and Indian Pentecostal Church.

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Foreign receipts used for religious activities

FIR was registered last week, however, CBI has not named compassion International as an accused in report. In FRI, CBI has alleged that NGO, which was registered under Foreign Contribution Registration Act (FCRA), “has invariably indulged in religious activities” despite stating nature of association as economic, educational and social in its account of foreign contributions filed from financial years 2011-12 to 2014-15.

Home Ministry’s FCRA wing filed complaint, alleging that Caruna Bal Vikas used a part of foreign receipts for religious activities.

“Furr, a special audit conducted by Income Tax department also reveals that a part of foreign receipts has been used for religious activities by CBV. Furr, CBV has, inter alia, declared its long term objective of ‘converting poor children into fulfilled Christian ults’, and thus engaged in religious activities including conversions to Christianity. Such activities have potential to disturb communal harmony and refore,(are) in violation of FCRA, 2010,” CBI FIR states.

“As per IT department’s report, CBV utilized only 10% of foreign contribution for purpose it was meant for, while remaining 90% was diverted to 300 NGOs in Tamil Nu, Kerala and or states. Some of NGOs are not FCRA registered,” FIR re furr.

AMCPL is named as accused in CBI along with CBV. Both have been charged under criminal conspiracy and FCRA act. Furrmore, an email sent to Compassion International remains unanswered. 

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