Anand Joshi, say sources, came under suspicion when files related to alleged funding violations by Teesta Setalvad went missing. (File photo)
Highlights
- Anand Joshi is an undersecretary in-charge of NGOs, their foreign funding
- CBI claims to have found unexplained cash, files during searches
- Missing files noticed as ministry was to cancel permit of Setalvad's NGO
A home ministry official is being investigated by the CBI for alleged bribery and corruption after it emerged that he had removed critical files linked to an investigation against activist Teesta Setalvad.
The official, Anand Joshi, is an undersecretary in charge of NGOs and their foreign funding.
The CBI claims to have found unexplained cash and files during searches at his office and home in Ghaziabad.
Mr Joshi, say sources, came under suspicion when files related to
alleged funding violations by Teesta Setalvad went missing. The files were found later, but the case was referred to the CBI.
The investigating agency says the official sent notices arbitrarily to several NGOs that were receiving foreign contributions and also demanded bribes to help them.
The home ministry noticed that files on Teesta Setalvad were missing when it was about to cancel permits to the activist's Sabrang Trust, sources said. Mr Joshi was summoned and he allegedly admitted he had taken the files home.
Sabrang Trust's licence was suspended last year by the home ministry, which asked the organisation to explain its foreign funding.
Mr Joshi claimed that he was "being pressurised and threatened by Additional Secretary in the Home Ministry B K Prasad to give clean chit to some of the NGOs", which he had refused to obey.
Mr Prasad, who is heading the Foreigners Division handling NGOs and issues related to Foreign Regulation Contribution Act, denied the allegations.
Sources say the accused officer's wife, who runs a company, is also being examined. It is suspected that the money was routed through her company as well.
In the past two years, the BJP-led government has tightened surveillance of foreign-funded charities. It says the organisaitons have either not disclosed details of their donations or used overseas money to engage in "anti-national" activities.
Teesta Setalvad's Sabrang was accused of illegally taking foreign funds without the home ministry's permission.
Ms Setalvad and her husband Javed Anand have denied charges of wrongdoing saying they were targeted for pursuing the cause of the 2002 Gujarat riot victims.