CBI chargesheet says Teesta Setalvad, Javed Anand received $2,90,000 in foreign contribution

A chargesheet has been filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against social activist Teesta Setalvad, her husband Javed Anand and a company run by them, Sabrang Communications and Publishing Pvt Ltd, for alleged violation of foreign funding rules. The chargesheet clearly mentions how rules were allegedly flouted to get foreign funds. A case was registered against Setalvad in 2015 for violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). The chargesheet has been filed under section 120 B of the Indian Penal code (IPC) and certain sections under the FCRA.

As per the act, no person having a definite cultural, economic, educational, religious or social programme shall accept foreign contributions without the prior permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

According to the chargesheet, Teesta and her husband are directors of Sabrang. The firm is involved in writing columns and articles regularly. Such entities are prohibited for receiving foreign contributions. However, the company allegedly received foreign contribution amounting to $2,90,000 in violation of the FCRA.

The document further says, "The company does not maintain exclusive books of accounts in respect of foreign contribution received and utilised. The association could not produce segregated books of accounts for checking to the inspection team. However, as the firm was not eligible for the grant, thus to circumvent the compliance requirements, she connived with Javed Anand, who was trying to project the grant as consultation charges."