CBI gets nod to prosecute Amnesty India

CBI gets nod to prosecute Amnesty India

Subject: Polity

Section: National organization

Context: Central government has granted sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to prosecute Amnesty International India and its former head, Aakar Patel, for alleged violations of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) provisions.

Background:

• CBI had filed a chargesheet in the case on December 31, 2021, and sought the government’s approval to prosecute the organisation as required under Section 40 of the FCRA.
• CBI had issued a Look-Out Circular against Mr. Patel, based on which he was stopped by the immigration officials at the Bengaluru airport from taking a flight to the United States.
• A city court ordered withdrawal of the circular.
• However, it was overturned by a Special Judge, who directed Mr. Patel to not leave the country without the court’s permission
• On a reference from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the CBI had registered the case on November 5, 2019.
• The case alleged FCRA violations, involving ₹36 crore, in receiving funds from Amnesty International-UK through AIIPL, despite the fact that prior registration or permissions had been denied to AIIFT and other Trusts.
• Amnesty International-UK and some other entities based in the United Kingdom sent funds to Amnesty India allegedly via commercial channels. These funds were used for non-government organisation activities.

Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA)

https://optimizeias.com/foreign-contribution-regulation-act-fcra/

How FCRA works?

https://optimizeias.com/how-fcra-works/

Look out notice

https://optimizeias.com/look-out-notice/