In a letter addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, concerns have been raised regarding the alleged receipt of foreign funds by the Tuticorin Diocesan Association and Tuticorin Multipurpose Social Service Society, despite the suspension and cancellation of their FCRA licenses and freezing of their bank accounts by the Government of India.
The letter, also copied to the Home Secretary, cites several documents, including a parliamentary reply by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju in 2015, and details obtained from the NGO Darpan website. These documents, enclosed with the letter, highlight the suspension of FCRA registration and freezing of bank accounts due to purported anti-national activities.
According to the enclosed documents, the Tuticorin Diocesan Association and Tuticorin Multipurpose Social Service Society continued to receive foreign funds despite the suspension of their FCRA licenses. The funds reportedly came from various sources, including the Apostolic Nunciature India, a diplomatic entity of the Vatican government.
The letter reveals detailed amounts of foreign contributions received by the Tuticorin Diocesan Association, indicating a significant portion from Apostolic Nunciature India. Moreover, it alleges that a substantial amount was transferred to the individual accounts of the NGOs’ office bearers, raising concerns about fund mismanagement.
Furthermore, the Tuticorin Diocesan Association is accused of transferring foreign funds from its frozen bank accounts to another account with Syndicate Bank, as well as transferring funds to construction companies. The reasons behind these transfers, particularly the significant sum of ₹1.25 Crores transferred to construction companies, are emphasized as requiring investigation.
The letter urges an immediate investigation by the Enforcement Directorate into the activities of the Tuticorin Diocesan Association and Tuticorin Multipurpose Social Service Society. It requests scrutiny of all bank accounts associated with NGOs whose FCRA registrations were suspended or canceled, as stated by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju in 2015.
The allegations, if proven true, raise serious questions about the misuse of foreign funds and potential violations of the law by these NGOs. The call for an investigation underscores the need for transparency and accountability in the utilization of foreign contributions by non-governmental organizations.
Earlier, Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) had sought ED probe into Tuticorin Diocesan Association after its investigation revealed that the NGO had received foreign funds despite its bank account being frozen.
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