CBI raids Amnesty International's Bengaluru and Delhi offices over violation of foreign funding

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team on Friday conducted raids on Amnesty International Group's offices in Bengaluru and Delhi, in connection with violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). The searches were conducted at three offices in Bengaluru and at one office in Delhi.

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On November 5, the CBI had registered a case. It was alleged that the provision of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and Indian Penal Code were contravened by the organisation by receiving foreign contributions from Amnesty International UK through AIIPL even though prior registration or permissions were denied to the Amnesty International India Foundation Trust (AIIFT) and other Trusts under FCRA. 

An investigation is going on in the matter.

Reacting to the raid, the group in a statement said, "Over the past year, a pattern of harassment has emerged every time Amnesty International India stands up and speaks out against human rights violations in India. Amnesty International India stands in full compliance with Indian and international law. Our work in India, as elsewhere, is to uphold and fight for universal human rights. These are the same values that are enshrined in the Indian Constitution and flow from a long and rich Indian tradition of pluralism, tolerance, and dissent. As part of the Nobel Prize-winning movement, Amnesty International India holds itself to the highest evidentiary standards."