Centre clears Shikhar Dhawan, Baba Bageshwar foundations for foreign funding
text_fields
New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has granted Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration to the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, the charitable organisation of former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, allowing it to receive foreign funding for its social welfare initiatives.
The approval comes at a time when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating a money laundering case in which immovable assets worth ₹4.5 crore linked to Shikhar Dhawan were attached last year. These assets were reportedly connected to the banned online betting platform 1xBet.
With the latest clearance, the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation has been included among entities permitted by the MHA to accept overseas contributions. Under the FCRA framework, registration is granted only to organisations with verifiable cultural, economic, educational, religious or social objectives, following detailed scrutiny by the Intelligence Bureau into the credentials and antecedents of applicants.
Earlier this month, the MHA also approved FCRA registration for Baba Bageshwar Dham, the religious organisation led by Madhya Pradesh-based godman Dhirendra Krishna Shastri.
According to officials, 38 organisations have received FCRA approvals so far this year. Last year, 444 organisations were granted registration, indicating continued processing of applications despite tighter regulatory oversight.
Non-governmental organisations seeking foreign funding are required to apply online in a prescribed format along with supporting documents. The MHA, through Intelligence Bureau verification, assesses the background and eligibility of each applicant before granting approval.
Meanwhile, the Centre recently introduced the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha amid Opposition protests. The proposed legislation seeks to establish a “designated authority” empowered to seize and manage the assets of non-profits that lose their FCRA licence.