Two MHA accountants held for allegedly demanding bribe to clear FCRA registration

New Delhi: Two officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs have been arrested for allegedly demanding a bribe from an association in exchange for expediting its pending registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), which is mandatory for non-profit organisations to receive foreign funding.

The ministry said on Tuesday that the arrests were made on Monday. One of the accused was posted in the ministry’s Foreigners Division, while the other worked in a Pay and Accounts Office after an earlier stint in the same division. Both were serving as accountants.

According to the ministry, preliminary questioning suggests the two were in touch with certain associations to facilitate their FCRA registration and renewal in return for illegal gratification. The investigation is continuing.

Tags: