The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday, 23 April 2026, said it has initiated an investigation into a global Christian mission, The Timothy Initiative (TTI), over the alleged use of foreign debit cards to withdraw large sums of money in Naxal-violence-affected regions of India, as reported in Rediff.
According to the agency, the probe relates to suspected violations of foreign exchange regulations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The ED stated that approximately ₹95 crore was channelled into India over a five-month period between November 2025 and April 2026 through foreign bank-issued debit cards.
In an official statement, the ED said it conducted search operations on April 18 and 19, 2026, at six locations across multiple states in connection with the case. The searches were linked to the alleged withdrawal and utilisation of funds using foreign debit cards while bypassing regulatory channels, as reported by TimesNow.
During the raids, officials seized 25 foreign bank debit cards, ₹40 lakh in cash, along with digital devices and documents described as incriminating.
The agency stated that the investigation pertains to activities associated with TTI in India and individuals connected with the movement. It alleged that foreign debit cards linked to Truist Bank in the United States were brought into India and used repeatedly to withdraw cash from ATMs across multiple states.
The ED further reported that some withdrawals appeared “unusual” and “suspicious,” amounting to about ₹6.5 crore over the past few years in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected regions, including Dhamtari district and the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.
According to the agency, the withdrawn cash was subsequently used to meet expenses related to TTI’s activities in India. It noted that TTI is not registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).
The ED also stated that access to TTI’s web portal from India displays a message reading, “Country Blocked. Access to this page is forbidden.”
As part of the investigation, the Bureau of Immigration intercepted an individual identified as Micah Mark at Bengaluru International Airport following the issuance of a Look Out Circular by the ED. Officials said he was found carrying 24 foreign debit cards, which the agency described as being brought into India illegally.
The ED said its findings indicate the possible involvement of multiple individuals in the withdrawal of cash using foreign debit cards outside formal banking channels. It added that an online billing and accounting platform was used to maintain records of these withdrawals and their utilisation, and that the platform is purportedly controlled by entities operating from outside India.
The agency stated that the emergence of such a parallel cash-based system in Naxal-affected areas poses a serious threat to the country’s security and financial integrity and may facilitate the movement of illicit funds for unlawful activities.
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