The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against US-based Christian missionary organisation The Timothy Initiative (TTI), its India operations head Jonathan Rajan, India financial head Ajit Varghese Mathai and others over alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), as reported in India Today.
According to the CBI, foreign funds amounting to ₹92.55 crore were allegedly received and utilised by TTI between November 2025 and April 2026 for missionary activities in violation of FCRA provisions.
The FIR was registered based on information shared by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is separately investigating the alleged receipt and utilisation of foreign funds by TTI.
Foreign Funds Allegedly Withdrawn Through ATMs
The CBI has alleged that the accused withdrew foreign funds in cash from ATMs across India using foreign debit cards issued by Truist Bank in the United States.
According to the ED’s investigation, more than 1,000 such foreign debit cards were allegedly distributed in India over the past few years. The cards were allegedly used to withdraw foreign funds from ATMs at various locations across the country.
The CBI investigation will examine the receipt and utilisation of these funds and whether the transactions violated provisions of the FCRA.
ED Probe Into Missionary Activities
The ED has alleged that the foreign funds were used for activities including training and preaching.
The agency has also alleged that the organisation’s activities involved the “brainwashing of poor people leading to left-wing extremism, among others.” These are allegations made during the ED’s investigation and remain subject to examination as part of the ongoing probe.
The ED is also examining how the funds were transferred to India and subsequently accessed through foreign debit cards.
Alleged Deletion Of Evidence
The ED has further alleged that TTI, USA attempted to destroy evidence during searches conducted as part of its investigation.
According to the agency, data stored on the organisation’s servers was allegedly accessed remotely and deleted while the searches were underway.
The CBI has named TTI, Rajan, Mathai and other unidentified persons in the case. Its investigation will focus on the alleged foreign funding transactions, their withdrawal and utilisation, and possible violations of FCRA provisions.
CBI registers case against US based Christian missionary group, The Timothy Initiative, Jonathan Rajan, Overall Operation incharge of TTI in India, Ajit Varghese Mathai, Financial Head of TTI in India and others for allegedly using “foreign funds to the tune of 92.55 crore… pic.twitter.com/OGZTBZhZOX
— Arvind Gunasekar (@arvindgunasekar) September 16, 2026
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