NEW DELHI: Central Bureau of Investigation has launched an inquiry into alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) involving institutions founded by Ladakh-based educationist and activist Sonam Wangchuk , officials told news agency PTI.
According to CBI sources cited by ANI, the investigation pertains to alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). In August, the Ladakh administration revoked the land allotment previously granted to the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL).
Wangchuk told PTI that a CBI team arrived around ten days ago with "an order" stating that they were acting on a complaint from the Ministry of Home Affairs concerning possible FCRA violations at the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL). "The order said we have not taken clearance under FCRA to receive foreign funds. We don't want to be dependent on foreign funds, but we export our knowledge and raise revenue. In three such instances, they thought it was foreign contribution," he said.
Meanwhile, tensions in the region have escalated, with Leh witnessing its worst violence since 1989 on Wednesday. Youths set fire to vehicles, vandalised property, and attacked the BJP headquarters and the Hill Council building, prompting police and paramilitary forces to fire teargas shells to restore order.
Leh's main market remained deserted on Thursday with shops shut a day after violence in the city. Section 163 of the BNSS has been imposed, banning gatherings of five or more people. Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta also chaired a high-level security review meeting, stressing the need for increased vigilance, strong inter-agency coordination, and proactive steps to maintain peace, security, and public order throughout the Union Territory.
'Guns blazing from all sides on us'
Wangchuk explained that the CBI team visited both HIAL and the Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), seeking details of funds received between 2022 and 2024. Wangchuk maintained that the transactions in question were legitimate service agreements with taxes duly paid, involving work for the United Nations, a Swiss university and an Italian organisation. "It was a very dignified assignment. They saw it and they were convinced. They understood it is not helping them, so they began asking for accounts outside that period," he alleged.
According to him, investigators extended their scrutiny beyond the mandated timeframe, even approaching schools not mentioned in the complaint. He said these schools provide free education to needy students, with stipends for project work at HIAL. "The CBI officers are still camping in Ladakh and rigorously going through records," he added, while noting that he has not personally been questioned.
Wangchuk also claimed that this investigation followed a series of actions against him, including a sedition case filed by local police and an order revoking land allotted for HIAL on grounds of unpaid lease fees. "Everyone knows, we have documents to show. The government had almost been apologetic in saying that their lease policy is not formed and hence it cannot take fee. It said 'please bear with us and continue constructions'," he said.
He further alleged that this was followed by income tax summons and the revival of an old complaint about unpaid labourers. "The funny part is, Ladakh is one place where there is no tax. Yet I voluntarily pay taxes, and I get summons. Then they resurrected a four-year-old complaint that labourers were not paid properly. It is guns blazing from all sides on us," he remarked.
According to CBI sources cited by ANI, the investigation pertains to alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). In August, the Ladakh administration revoked the land allotment previously granted to the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL).
Wangchuk told PTI that a CBI team arrived around ten days ago with "an order" stating that they were acting on a complaint from the Ministry of Home Affairs concerning possible FCRA violations at the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL). "The order said we have not taken clearance under FCRA to receive foreign funds. We don't want to be dependent on foreign funds, but we export our knowledge and raise revenue. In three such instances, they thought it was foreign contribution," he said.
Meanwhile, tensions in the region have escalated, with Leh witnessing its worst violence since 1989 on Wednesday. Youths set fire to vehicles, vandalised property, and attacked the BJP headquarters and the Hill Council building, prompting police and paramilitary forces to fire teargas shells to restore order.
Leh's main market remained deserted on Thursday with shops shut a day after violence in the city. Section 163 of the BNSS has been imposed, banning gatherings of five or more people. Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta also chaired a high-level security review meeting, stressing the need for increased vigilance, strong inter-agency coordination, and proactive steps to maintain peace, security, and public order throughout the Union Territory.
'Guns blazing from all sides on us'
Wangchuk explained that the CBI team visited both HIAL and the Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), seeking details of funds received between 2022 and 2024. Wangchuk maintained that the transactions in question were legitimate service agreements with taxes duly paid, involving work for the United Nations, a Swiss university and an Italian organisation. "It was a very dignified assignment. They saw it and they were convinced. They understood it is not helping them, so they began asking for accounts outside that period," he alleged.
According to him, investigators extended their scrutiny beyond the mandated timeframe, even approaching schools not mentioned in the complaint. He said these schools provide free education to needy students, with stipends for project work at HIAL. "The CBI officers are still camping in Ladakh and rigorously going through records," he added, while noting that he has not personally been questioned.
Wangchuk also claimed that this investigation followed a series of actions against him, including a sedition case filed by local police and an order revoking land allotted for HIAL on grounds of unpaid lease fees. "Everyone knows, we have documents to show. The government had almost been apologetic in saying that their lease policy is not formed and hence it cannot take fee. It said 'please bear with us and continue constructions'," he said.
He further alleged that this was followed by income tax summons and the revival of an old complaint about unpaid labourers. "The funny part is, Ladakh is one place where there is no tax. Yet I voluntarily pay taxes, and I get summons. Then they resurrected a four-year-old complaint that labourers were not paid properly. It is guns blazing from all sides on us," he remarked.
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