ED Cracks Down: FCRA Violations by Maharashtra Trust

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at multiple locations linked to a Maharashtra-based Trust. The investigation, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, follows an FIR and a chargesheet. The Ministry of Home Affairs revoked the Trust's FCRA registration due to alleged fund mismanagement.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday conducted extensive searches across a dozen sites in connection with an alleged Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) violation by a Maharashtra-based Trust, according to officials.

Raids were executed at properties in Nandurbar district and Mumbai associated with the Jamia Islamia Ishatul Uloom (JIIU) Trust. The investigation involves a Yemeni national, Al-Khadami Khaled Ibrahim Saleh, among others, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The probe emerged from a first information report (FIR) filed by the Nandurbar police, which led to a chargesheet against the accused in April. The Ministry of Home Affairs canceled the Trust's FCRA registration for allegedly channeling funds to non-registered NGOs. Kirit Somaiya, ex-BJP MP, endorsed the raids, citing non-transparent transactions via shell companies.

(With inputs from agencies.)