Delhi HC issues clean chit to NGOs associated with Team Anna's 'India Against Corruption'

The Delhi high court on Thursday concluded that there was no requirement of a CBI probe against NGOs affiliated with Team Anna and Kejriwal-led India Against Corruption for alleged use of foreign funds for anti-corruption agitation or political purpose, Harish V Nair reports.

The Delhi high court on Thursday concluded that there was no requirement of a CBI probe against NGOs affiliated with Team Anna and Kejriwal-led India Against Corruption for alleged use of foreign funds for anti-corruption agitation or political purpose.

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A Bench headed by chief justice D Murugesan took the decision after upholding the findings of a home ministry probe giving them a clean chit. An affidavit filed by Centre’s counsel Sumeet Pushkarna said enquiries into the functioning of Navjyoti India Foundation and India Vision Foundation run by Kiran Bedi and NGO ‘Kabir’ of which Manish Sisodia was the patron was carried out and there was no ground at present to initiate a criminal investigation as only minor “accounting” irregularities were found.

“These irregularities are not serious enough at this stage to warrant a criminal investigation. During inspection, no documentary proof in the records of the association was found to show the use of the funds in any such political activity or in IAC movement or agitation”, said a Home Ministry affidavit.

A PIL which demanded the CBI probe alleged Team Anna got foreign funding in violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).

The affidavit said the clean chit was given after inspection of the offices of these NGOs, scrutiny of utilization of foreign contribution received by them and other documents.