Arunachal Activist Embroiled in Foreign Funds Scandal: CBI Investigation Unfolds

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Arunachal Activist Embroiled in Foreign Funds Scandal: CBI Investigation Unfolds

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against Arunachal Pradesh-based environmental activist and lawyer Bhanu Tatak, alleging that she received Rs 20.94 lakh in foreign funds without registration or permission under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).

Tatak, who is the Legal Advisor of the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF) and Coordinator of Dibang Resistance (DR), is accused of receiving foreign contributions directly into her personal savings bank account without obtaining mandatory certification of registration under the FCRA. The funds, allegedly received from foreign entities, were purportedly used to organise and sustain anti-dam protests in Arunachal Pradesh against the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) and Dibang Multipurpose Hydropower Project.

A preliminary enquiry had alleged that Tatak received the money from foreign entities, with the purpose of the receipt of funds remaining undisclosed. The received funds were predominantly utilised by Tatak through several UPI transactions, and she had not filed income tax returns during the financial years 2017-18 to 2025-26. Consequently, she had not made any declaration regarding receipt of funds from the foreign entities or organisations.

The enquiry further alleged that Tatak had not obtained any registration or prior permission under the FCRA with respect to the foreign funds received by her. Moreover, she had not been found associated as an office bearer, member or functionary with any association registered or granted prior permission under the FCRA.

The ministry of home affairs had entrusted the matter to the CBI for investigation under Section 43 of the FCRA. The CBI has now registered a case against Tatak and unknown persons under sections 11(1), 17, 19, and 35 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.

The CBI's investigation is expected to delve into the details of the foreign funds received by Tatak and their utilisation for the anti-dam protests. The agency will also examine whether any other statutes, including the Income Tax Act, 1961, or the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, have been violated during the course of the investigation.

The CBI's move to register a case against Tatak has sparked a debate on the use of foreign funds in India's environmental activism. While some have hailed Tatak as a champion of environmental rights, others have questioned the legitimacy of receiving foreign funds for such causes.

As the CBI investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Tatak will be able to clear her name and prove that the foreign funds were used for legitimate purposes. The case highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of foreign funds in India's environmental activism.

The CBI's probe into the foreign funds received by Tatak is a significant development in the context of India's environmental activism. It underscores the importance of adhering to the laws and regulations governing the receipt and utilisation of foreign funds in the country.

The outcome of the CBI investigation will have far-reaching implications for environmental activism in India. It will set a precedent for the use of foreign funds in such causes and serve as a warning to those who seek to misuse such funds for personal gain.

In conclusion, the CBI's registration of a case against Bhanu Tatak marks a significant development in the context of India's environmental activism. The investigation will delve into the details of the foreign funds received by Tatak and their utilisation for the anti-dam protests, and will have far-reaching implications for the use of foreign funds in such causes.