B’luru: ED raids Amnesty over Rs 36 crore foreign fund

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on the Amnesty International (India) Foundation’s office in Bengaluru on Thursday. Sources in the ED confirmed that a search was conducted at Amnesty India office in Indiranagar for suspected violation of FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) guidelines. ED sources said Amnesty India received foreign funds of Rs 36 crore through commercial route in violation of FCRA and FDI.

Sources said that the search began at around 2 pm when the ED team visited the Amnesty office. The ED officials confiscated computers and laptops and started examining them. A team of officials also quizzed the management and staff, who were asked not to contact anyone.

According to ED sources, Amnesty floated a commercial entity in the name of Amnesty International India Pvt Ltd (AIIPL) after it was denied permission to register under FCRA by Ministry of Home Affairs. ED claims Amnesty bypassed FCRA rules and received Rs 36 crore till date.

Of the Rs 36 crore, Rs 10 crore was received as long-term loans. This was placed in fixed deposits. Another Indian entity named Indians for Amnesty International Trust (IAIT) was established and it raised an overdraft for Rs 14.25 crore by placing Rs 10 crore as collateral, ED stated.