5 hrs ago
ED Searches Jaisalmer Premises Over Belgian Funds Allegations
The Enforcement Directorate is investigating foreign money received by two people in Jaisalmer.
Officials say about Rs 5.10 crore came mainly from a Belgian group called Amar ASBL.
The agency says the money was reported as being for schooling, culture, family support, or other services.
It alleges that some of the money was instead used to influence religious beliefs and support conversion activities.
The ED also says the money was received without the required Indian registration.
About Rs 2.60 crore was allegedly taken out in cash.
Investigators say proper financial records were not kept.
Amar ASBL describes itself as a small group that helps pay for the education of children in India.
The investigation is continuing, and the allegations have not been established in court.
The Enforcement Directorate searched two Jaisalmer premises under the Foreign Exchange Management Act over alleged misuse of Rs 5.10 crore in foreign funds.
The agency alleges Deu Ram and Gyan Chand received most of the money from Belgium-based Amar ASBL without required Foreign Contribution Regulation Act registration.
The funds were reportedly declared for education, cultural activities, family maintenance, savings, and other services, but the ED alleges they supported proselytisation and conversion-related activities.
The ED said Deu Ram withdrew about Rs 2.60 crore in cash and that proper books and financial records were not maintained.
The agency also alleged that related bank accounts were used or considered for routing remittances after banks declined transfers to the two men’s accounts; documents and digital evidence were recovered.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate; Jaisalmer residents Deu Ram and Gyan Chand; and Belgium-based Amar ASBL, managed by Jose Goffinet and Salian Goffinet.
- What
- The ED searched two premises in an investigation into alleged misuse of about Rs 5.10 crore in foreign donations and alleged proselytisation and conversion activities.
- Where
- Two premises in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, near the India-Pakistan international border; Amar ASBL is based in Brussels, Belgium.
- When
- The searches were conducted on Saturday and announced by the ED on Monday; the articles do not provide a calendar date. Amar ASBL was established in Brussels in 2011.
- Why
- The ED suspects foreign funds were received without required FCRA registration, declared under purposes that did not reflect their alleged use, and routed for activities beyond those reported to banks.
Enforcement Directorate Allegations
Amar ASBL’s Stated Purpose
Use of foreign funds
Enforcement Directorate Allegations
The ED alleges that the Rs 5.10 crore was mis-declared as funding for education, cultural activities, family maintenance, savings, or other services and was instead used for organisational activities, personal expenses, and influencing religious beliefs.
Amar ASBL’s Stated Purpose
Amar ASBL describes itself as a small Belgian non-profit that organises and finances education for children in India; its website says the organisation began after founders agreed to pay a child’s school fees and later expanded its support.
Religious activities
Enforcement Directorate Allegations
The ED alleges that Jose Goffinet and Salian Goffinet visited Jaisalmer, met children’s families, and organised meetings and religious gatherings to promote their cultural and religious beliefs and practices.
Amar ASBL’s Stated Purpose
The available account from Amar ASBL presents its India work primarily as education support for children; the articles do not include a direct response from the organisation to the ED’s allegations.
Regulatory compliance
Enforcement Directorate Allegations
The ED says Amar ASBL had not registered a trust or NGO in India, the funds were received without FCRA permission, financial records were not properly maintained, and related accounts were considered for routing remittances.
Amar ASBL’s Stated Purpose
The articles do not report a public response from Amar ASBL, Deu Ram, or Gyan Chand disputing or explaining the agency’s allegations.
Key facts
- Investigating agency
- Directorate of Enforcement, also known as the Enforcement Directorate
- Legal basis
- Searches conducted under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999
- Amount under investigation
- About Rs 5.10 crore
- Main foreign source
- Amar ASBL, a Belgium-based entity established in Brussels in 2011
- Alleged cash withdrawals
- About Rs 2.60 crore withdrawn by Deu Ram
- Reported operating period
- Amar ASBL allegedly worked in Jaisalmer through Deu Ram and Gyan Chand for 14-15 years
- Search outcome
- The ED said incriminating documents and digital evidence were recovered; further investigation is under way
Quotes
Amar ASBL
Belgium-based non-profit organisation described by the article
“This adventure, which came purely from a heartfelt impulse, led to the creation of the non-profit organisation AMAR in November 2011. Since then, the number of children has gradually increased to reach 125 children in 2021.”
indianexpress.com
“a little Belgian NGO organising and financing education of 125 children in India.”
indianexpress.com
Enforcement Directorate
Indian financial investigation agency conducting the searches
“However, no educational, cultural or recreational services were actually rendered to Amar ASBL; instead, the funds were managed and deployed for the organisation's activities in Jaisalmer”
rediff.com
“Most of these funds were received from Amar ASBL, which claims to be a non-profit organisation based in Brussels, Belgium”
rediff.com
Sources
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