In a significant development, the Legal Rights Protection Forum has lodged a formal complaint with the FCRA Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs against Development Activities for Rural People (DARP), a Madurai-based NGO. The complaint, dated 2 December 2023, outlines alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) by DARP, including its purported connection to LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) Terror Funding.
The Board of Trustees of DARP, as listed in the complaint, includes Gaspar Raj Mariapaulian (Treasurer), Shanthi Ravikumar (Member), Raeshma Jegath (Member), M S Albert Leenus (President), and Wilsto Dhaspin (Secretary).
The crux of the complaint centers on an indictment issued against Mr. Jegath Gaspar Raj Maria Paulian, also known as Fr Jegath Gaspar Raj, the Treasurer of DARP. The indictment, issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to the Court of the Eastern District of New York on August 18, 2006, unveils serious charges related to LTTE Terror Funding. The detailed observations made by the FBI, enclosed with the complaint, include accusations against Mr. Gaspar Raj Maria Paulian and others for facilitating LTTE projects and serving as intermediaries between LTTE supporters in the United States, Europe, and Sri Lankan leadership.
In addition to the LTTE-related allegations, the complaint raises concerns about the foreign contributions received by DARP from 2013 to 2021, totaling more than ₹13 lakh Notably, the organization lacks an online presence, raising questions about transparency and accessibility of information regarding its activities.
The complaint also highlights the utilization of funds, alleging that foreign funds received into the FCRA-designated bank account of DARP are directly utilized without being transferred to the Utilization Account. These funds are purportedly being transferred directly to individuals and entities, with reports suggesting a connection to a YouTube channel named ‘Tamil Niram,’ known for supporting LTTE and propagating against the Government of India.
Father Jegath Gaspar Raj, is a Catholic priest close to the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu. He had earlier issued a clarion call instigating Muslims to demand a separate electorate and a separate sovereign territory apart from taking help from ‘external forces’ to protect themselves. He also runs a dubious NGO called Tamil Maiyam which has been interfering in the Keezhadi excavations in a bid to establish the notion of “Dravidian civilization”, meant to serve as a fodder for separatism.
Given the severity of the allegations and their potential impact on foreign relations, the Legal Rights Protection Forum has called for the immediate suspension of DARP’s FCRA license. The complaint urges authorities to refer the case to the Enforcement Directorate for further investigation and necessary action.
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