CBI Launches Probe into Foreign Funding of Arunachal Activist over FCRA Violations

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a significant inquiry into the movement of foreign funds into the hands of an activist based in Arunachal Pradesh. The investigation, which gained momentum following an FIR registered in August, centers on allegations that several international entities have funneled money into the region in direct violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).

Investigating International Transactions

According to investigative sources, the CBI is scrutinizing inward remittances originating from at least four distinct foreign organizations. These entities are reportedly domiciled in the Philippines, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. As part of its legal process, the agency is expected to issue formal requests to these international bodies, seeking detailed documentation and clarification regarding the nature and intent of the financial transactions linked to the activist.

The scope of the investigation is widening, with officials examining whether this individual is an isolated case or part of a larger network involving other recipients within India. The FIR identifies several prominent organizations involved in the transfers, including the “Asia Indigenous Peoples Network on Extractive Industries and Energy,” a Philippines-based non-profit that characterizes itself as a platform for supporting indigenous communities impacted by infrastructure projects. Other entities named in the agency’s documents include the Dublin-based “Front Line,” the “Indigenous Peoples Rights International” in the Philippines, and the London-based “Business and Human Rights Resource Center.”

Alleged Misuse of Funds for Agitation

Financial analysis conducted by the CBI indicates that the activist allegedly received approximately Rs 20.9 lakh through various forex transactions. Investigators have flagged these inflows as highly suspicious, noting that the stated purpose of the funds remained undisclosed at the time of transfer.

Furthermore, the agency has observed a pattern in the expenditure of these funds, which were reportedly funneled largely through UPI transactions. The FIR explicitly alleges that this financial support was strategically deployed to organize and sustain protests against critical infrastructure development in the state, specifically the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project and the Dibang Multipurpose Hydropower Project.

The CBI’s preliminary findings suggest that the influx of foreign capital was intended to create domestic unrest and hinder major development initiatives. By allegedly bankrolling anti-dam movements, these foreign entities are accused of disrupting projects that are considered vital to India’s economic growth and regional strategic interests.

As the inquiry proceeds, the CBI is expected to focus on whether these transactions constituted a deliberate attempt to interfere with the country’s sovereign developmental goals. The agency remains committed to tracing the origin of every rupee involved and determining the level of involvement of the international NGOs in orchestrating local resistance. The investigation marks a stern government stance on the monitoring of foreign contributions that may be channeled toward activities deemed detrimental to national interests.

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