MHA serves notice to two NGOs run by Teesta Setalvad

Two NGOs run by social activist Teesta Setalvad and her husband have been served notice by the Home Ministry for alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and asked to reply within 15 days.

Sabarang Trust and Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), run by Setalvad and her husband Javed Anand, were served the notice two days ago, following an on-site inspection of records and books of accounts carried out by Home Ministry officials in April this year.

Sources said during the probe it was found that they were running a magazine ‘Communalism Combat’ as co-editors as well as printer and publisher of their company Sabrang Communication and Publishing Pvt Ltd (SCPPL) and allegedly received foreign contribution.

Under the FCRA, no foreign contribution shall be accepted by any correspondent, columnist, cartoonist, editor, owner, printer or publisher of a registered newspaper.

CJP, which has been fighting cases for victims of 2002 Gujarat riots, had received a total foreign contribution of around Rs 1.18 crore from 2008-09 to 2013-14. According to <g data-gr-id="32">notice</g>, more than 80 <g data-gr-id="23">per cent</g> or nearly Rs 95 lakh was spent for legal aid.

While the entity was registered for ‘Educational and Economic’ purposes, it received <g data-gr-id="28">foreign</g> contribution for activities such as ‘Legal Aid’ which is covered under purpose ‘Social’. Hence, it violated the provisions of the FCRA rules, they contended.

On review of vouchers of the association it was found that Sabrang Trust have made payment of Rs 12 lakh from FCRA designated account to Citi Bank and Union Bank of India on account of credit facilities taken through credit cards belonging to Setalvad and Anand.