8 months ago
ED Searches Climate NGO, Activist Arrested
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in India searched a climate organization called Satat Sampada Pvt Ltd and the homes of its founders, Harjeet Singh and Jyoti Awasthi.
They found a lot of liquor at Singh's house, which led to his arrest by the Uttar Pradesh excise department.
The ED is investigating if the organization broke rules related to foreign money.
They believe the organization might be using foreign funds to promote certain causes that could be against India's interests.
The ED also suspects that the founders used some of this money for personal trips to Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The activists have not responded to these allegations.
The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches against a climate NGO, Satat Sampada Pvt Ltd, and the residences of its founders, Harjeet Singh and Jyoti Awasthi.
The searches were conducted under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) as part of a foreign exchange violation probe.
Harjeet Singh was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh excise department for keeping excess liquor at home.
The ED alleges that the NGO is a front for channelling foreign funds to promote the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FF-NPT) cause.
The ED is investigating Singh's visits to Pakistan and Bangladesh, suggesting they were for activities against national interest.
- Who
- Enforcement Directorate, Harjeet Singh, Jyoti Awasthi
- What
- Searches conducted, arrest made for excess liquor and foreign exchange violations
- Where
- Delhi NCR (Delhi and Ghaziabad, UP)
- When
- January 5 (searches), January 6 (arrest)
- Why
- As part of a foreign exchange violation probe and excise law contravention
ED's Allegations
Activists' Silence
Nature of the NGO
ED's Allegations
The ED claims Satat Sampada Pvt Ltd is a front for channelling foreign funds to promote the FF-NPT cause.
Activists' Silence
No response from the activists to these allegations.
Fund Utilization
ED's Allegations
The ED alleges that funds were diverted for personal use and to promote foreign agendas.
Activists' Silence
No response from the activists to these allegations.
International Visits
ED's Allegations
The ED is investigating Singh's visits to Pakistan and Bangladesh, suggesting they were for activities against national interest.
Activists' Silence
No response from the activists to these allegations.
Key facts
- Organization
- Satat Sampada Pvt Ltd
- Location
- Delhi NCR
- Action
- Searches conducted, arrest made
- Law
- Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA)
- Date
- January 5
- Funds in Question
- Rs 6.5 crore
- Alleged Violations
- Foreign exchange violations, contravention of UP excise laws
- Activist
- Harjeet Singh
Quotes
ED official
Senior official from the Enforcement Directorate
“The key issues to be examined are end-use of forex money received by them from foreign NGOs and the groups it influences in the name of consultancy.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
ED conducts searches against NCR-based climate NGO under FEMA
Activist Harjeet Singh held in UP; Pak, Bangladesh trips under lens
ED raids climate group, claims got foreign funds to sway govt policies
UP excise arrests climate activist Harjeet Singh after ED tip-off; his Pak, B’desh visits under lens
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