BBC World Service India Faces Hefty FDI Penalty

The Enforcement Directorate has fined BBC World Service India over Rs 3.44 crore for violating FDI regulations. Additionally, three directors were fined Rs 1.14 crore each. The adjudication followed a show-cause notice, for not reducing FDI to 26%, as mandated by Indian government regulations.

The Enforcement Directorate has imposed a substantial penalty surpassing Rs 3.44 crore on BBC World Service India. This move follows allegations of violating foreign direct investment (FDI) regulations, according to agency officials who made the announcement on Friday.

As part of the federal probe, three directors of the British broadcaster have been fined more than Rs 1.14 crore each. This action comes under an adjudication order issued in accordance with the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

The investigation was triggered by a show-cause notice on August 4, 2023, addressed to BBC WS India and its executives, citing multiple contraventions. Despite being a 100% FDI company, the broadcaster failed to adjust its FDI to the mandated 26%, breaching government rules, sources revealed.