The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered an FIR against Oxfam India and its office-bearers for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act based on a complaint from the Union Home Ministry.

CBI is currently conducting raids at Oxfam’s Delhi Office. The FIR was registered on Monday, based on Union Home Ministry’s complaints on the violations by Oxfam in India.

Following the registration of the case, the CBI began a search operation against Oxfam India’s office premises in the national capital. Citing violations in money routing, the Enforcement Directorate is likely to initiate a probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The complaint, which is now part of the FIR, has alleged that though Oxfam India’s FCRA registration ceased, it planned to circumvent the law by taking other routes to channel funds.

“From the email found during the IT survey by the CBDT, it appears that Oxfam India is providing funds to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) through its associates/ employees in the form of a commission. The same is also reflected from the TDS data of Oxfam India which shows payment of Rs.12.71 lakh to the CPR in the F.Y. 2019-20…,” said the Union Home Ministry’s complaint and CBI’s FIR.

The complaint by the Foreigners Division of the Union Home Ministry said Oxfam India got FCRA registration to carry out social activities but payment made to CPR through its associates or employees in the form of commission — professional or technical services — is not in line with its stated objectives. “This violates section 8 & 12(4) of the FCRA 2010,” said CBI.

Other violations by Oxfam included receiving foreign contributions to the tune of Rs.1.5 crore into the Foreign Contribution utilization account instead of receiving foreign contributions in the FCRA-designated bank account. The case has been registered under various sections of FCRA.

"Email communication found during an IT survey by the CBDT shows that Oxfam India has been planning to pressurize the Indian government for renewal of FCRA through foreign governments and foreign institutions. Oxfam India has the reach and influence to request multilateral foreign organizations to intervene on its behalf with the Government of India. This exposed Oxfam India as a probable instrument of the foreign policy of foreign organizations/ entities which have funded Oxfam India liberally over the years. This is a violation of Section 12(4)(f)(ii) of FCRA, 2010,” the Home Ministry said in its complaint to the CBI.

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