CBI Registers Case Against Oxfam India For Alleged Foreign Funds Violation

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday registered a case against Oxfam India in alleged violation of India's foreign funding rules, the NDTV report said.

The report quoting CBI said, Oxfam India received around Rs 1.5 crore directly into its Foreign Contribution Utilisation account instead of the designated bank account between 2013 and 2016. 

It also quoted FIR mentioning that Oxfam India routed Rs 12.71 lakh to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) in the financial year 2019-20 in violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010 rules.

Quoting CBI, the report said that it acted on a complaint from the Home Ministry, which had suspended Oxfam India's FCRA licence in January last year. 

“The MHA had accused Oxfam India of indulging in anti-national activities and lobbying with foreign governments and institutions to pressure the Indian government for FCRA renewal,” it said.

The report further quoting CBI FIR said that Oxfam India was planning to bypass the FCRA by transferring funds to other associations or for-profit consultancy firms. 

“The CBI said that it had seized several emails from Oxfam India's office during a search operation last week,” it said.

Oxfam India is a part of the global confederation of Oxfam, which works on issues such as poverty, inequality, gender justice and climate change. 

Oxfam has denied any wrongdoing and said that it was cooperating with the authorities.

“Oxfam India has been cooperating with all government agencies since its FCRA registration wasn't renewed in December 2021. We have filed a plea in the Delhi High Court against the decision to not renew our FCRA registration. The High Court has asked the Union government to respond to our plea,” Oxfam said in a statement.