Police in Bengaluru have registered a case against a Christian missionary organisation and several of its members following a complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which alleged illegal foreign funding operations and the distribution of cash in Maoist-affected regions, as reported in Dinamalar.
The case pertains to The Timothy Initiative (TTI), a Christian missionary organisation operating from Kothanur in Bengaluru. The organisation’s headquarters is located in North Carolina, United States.
According to the ED, intelligence inputs indicated that the missionary had been operating without obtaining the necessary approvals from the Central Government. The agency also received information that more than 1,000 international ATM cards linked to foreign bank accounts were being used to withdraw large sums of money in India.
Based on these inputs, the ED conducted searches in April at multiple locations, including Bengaluru and parts of Chhattisgarh. During the raids, investigators allegedly discovered that the organisation had been functioning without the mandatory permissions and approvals required under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
The investigation reportedly revealed that between November last year and April this year, approximately ₹92.55 crore was withdrawn in India using international debit cards brought into the country. Of this amount, nearly ₹44 crore was allegedly withdrawn from locations in Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Assam.
According to the ED, a portion of the cash withdrawn through ATMs was allegedly transported to Dhamtari district in Chhattisgarh, an area known for significant Maoist activity, and distributed there.
The agency further alleged that after the investigation commenced, attempts were made to erase financial transaction records using servers located in the United States.
The ED has named several individuals in connection with the alleged transactions, including Jonathan Rajan, head of Indian financial operations for the Bengaluru-based TTI organisation; Micah Mark, who allegedly oversaw financial management and card distribution; Ajith Varghese; Supreme Joy of Mysuru; Varghese Chacko of Chhattisgarh; and Bablu Kurmi of Assam.
In a complaint submitted by ED Assistant Director Sunil Kumar Chinmar, the agency stated that the financial transactions warranted investigation as they could have implications for national security and public order.
Based on the complaint, Kothanur Police have registered an FIR against Jonathan Rajan, other named individuals, and the missionary organisation. Further investigation into the alleged foreign funding network and cash distribution activities is currently underway.
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