New Delhi:
The government has been ordered today to unblock funds of Greenpeace India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government tightened controls on foreign fund transfers into Greenpeace India's accounts in June after an intelligence report accused foreign-funded campaign groups of hurting Asia's third-largest economy.
The Home Ministry had instructed the central bank to get its approval before releasing funds from Netherlands-based Greenpeace International and the US-based Climate Works Foundation, two overseas contributors to Greenpeace India.
Greenpeace India took its case to the Delhi High Court last week after its bank refused to give it funds from Greenpeace International, citing lack of Home Ministry clearance. The court today said that money should be transferred to the non-profit and that the money should be placed in a fixed deposit till the next hearing is held on October 10.
The Intelligence Bureau report submitted to the centre in June accused activist groups of "stalling development projects" by protesting against power projects, mining and genetically modified food.
Greenpeace has insisted it functions transparently and in accordance with the law.
"The High Court's direction to the MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) throws light on the completely arbitrary manner in which the government has attempted to muzzle voices of dissent in a democracy in the name of financial scrutiny," Greenpeace India executive director Samit Aich said in a statement.
Activists have expressed concern that the Bharatiya Janata Party's dash for growth will mean a watering down of environmental standards and land acquisition laws to favour business.
The court has given the Home Ministry two weeks to respond, before the next hearing on October 10.