1 hr ago
CBI Charges Christian Group Over Rs 92 Crore Foreign Funds
Indian investigators have accused a US-based Christian organization called The Timothy Initiative of handling foreign money illegally.
They say the group was not registered under India’s foreign-funding law.
Investigators allege that more than 1,000 debit cards were used to take about Rs 92.55 crore from ATMs.
The cards were issued by a US bank and were used in several parts of India.
Officials say the money supported the organization’s activities, including training and preaching.
The FIR also alleges that some of these activities were connected to left-wing extremism.
The Enforcement Directorate says it seized cash and debit cards during searches.
It also says that some computer and online records were erased afterward.
The allegations have not yet been proven in court, and the organization has not publicly responded.
The CBI has registered a case against The Timothy Initiative and six people over alleged illegal foreign funding.
Investigators allege that about Rs 92.55 crore was withdrawn in cash using more than 1,000 US-issued debit cards.
The withdrawals allegedly occurred across India between November 2025 and April 2026, including in Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Assam.
The FIR alleges the money supported training, preaching and activities linked by investigators to left-wing extremism.
The ED says it found cash, debit cards and alleged data deletions before referring the matter to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Who
- The Central Bureau of Investigation, the Enforcement Directorate, The Timothy Initiative, and six named individuals are involved in the case.
- What
- The CBI alleges that foreign funds worth about Rs 92.55 crore were withdrawn through more than 1,000 debit cards without FCRA registration.
- Where
- The alleged transactions occurred across India, including Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Assam; the organization is listed at a post office box in Raleigh, North Carolina.
- When
- The alleged withdrawals took place from November 2025 to April 2026; the CBI registered the FIR on August 27.
- Why
- Investigators allege that the funds were used for TTI activities, including training and preaching, and that the money constituted foreign contribution requiring registration under the FCRA.
Key facts
- Alleged amount
- About Rs 92.55 crore, or $9,995,240, was allegedly withdrawn.
- Debit cards
- The FIR says more than 1,000 foreign debit cards were distributed in India.
- Bank
- The cards were issued by Truist Bank in the United States.
- Accused organization
- The Timothy Initiative, a US-based Christian evangelist organization.
- Named accused
- Jonathan S Rajan, Micah Mark, Ajit Verghese Mathai, Bablu Kurmi, Supreme Joy and Varghese Chacko, along with TTI.
- Investigative actions
- The ED searched premises on April 18 and 19 and seized Rs 37 lakh from Mathai's premises, according to the report.
- Legal basis
- The case concerns alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, with searches also conducted under FEMA and the Income Tax Act.
Quotes
Central Bureau of Investigation FIR
The investigative agency whose FIR describes the alleged debit-card distribution
“squarely falls within the definition of 'foreign contribution' under section 2(1)(h) of the FCRA, 2010”
NDTV
“Over 1,000 such debit cards have been distributed in India over the past few years”
NDTV
Sources
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