In a major crackdown, the Central Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday conducted searches in 40 locations and detained at least 10 people including Home Ministry officials, NGO representatives and middlemen for violations of rules in receiving foreign donations. Raids were conducted based on a complaint from the Home Ministry.
The agency carried out searches in Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Mysore and some places in Rajasthan. The operation has so far led to a disclosure of hawala transactions of around Rs 2 crore.
The agency said several home ministry officials were found giving illegal Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) clearances to NGOs in exchange of bribe. At least twelve NGOs are under investigation, it said.
"CBI has apprehended some accused, including public servants, while bribes were being exchanged. Half a dozen public servants and others are being quizzed. These individuals were allegedly committing a violation of the provision of FCRA and were felicitating illegal clearance of FCRA matters in exchange for bribes," said a senior CBI official.
The arrest formalities are going on against some of the apprehended officials and others.
News agency PTI quoted officials as saying that when the issue of alleged FCRA violations was brought to the notice of Home Minister Amit Shah, he directed that the strongest possible action should be taken against those involved. The MHA then lodged the complaint with the CBI, they said.
