The ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi on Friday was askedby the Narendra Modi government to furnish details of overseas funding to it following suspicion that it might have violated the provisions of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
In a communication, the Union Home Ministry asked the Kejriwal-led party to explain certain financial exchange made from abroad after suspecting that it might have violated FCRA provisions.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) official said, "The communication to the AAP was part of 'routine' queries sent to a few other political parties regarding overseas funding to them."
The official made it clear that it was not a show cause notice and decision on it would be taken only after the AAP submits its reply.
Lashing out at MHA, the AAP official said, "We have nothing to hide. We are ready to face any probe and party will fully cooperate with all concerned officials and agencies. It's worth mentioning that the Ministry of Home Affairs had given us a clean chit before the High Court on this issue and now they are sending us fresh notices. It is a clear case of political witch hunt. All the agencies at Centre's disposal have been unleashed against Aam Aadmi Party, its government in Delhi and its ministers. This is very dangerous for democracy."
The MHA has served notice to AAP on grounds of allegedly violating the Foreign Contribution (regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA) norms.
AAP had sought donations from the common public at the time of inception and a majority of its donors were from outside India. In 2013, the UPA government had also probed the funds of AAP but no discrepancies were found.