NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation has initiated an inquiry into alleged Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) violations at the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL), founded by educationist and activist Sonam Wangchuk, officials said. While confirming the development he said, “We don’t want to be dependent on foreign funds, but we export our knowledge and raise revenue.” The investigation, based on a complaint from the Ministry of Home Affairs, began about 10 days ago when CBI officials visited the institution in Ladakh, though no FIR has been registered yet, according to PTI.The CBI team arrived with orders to investigate alleged FCRA violations, specifically focusing on foreign funds received between 2022 and 2024 at both HIAL and the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh.“The order said we have not taken clearance under FCRA to receive foreign funds. We don’t want to be dependent on foreign funds, but we export our knowledge and raise revenue. In three such instances, they thought it was foreign contribution,” said Wangchuk.Wangchuk clarified that the transactions in question were service agreements with taxes paid to the government, involving knowledge export to the United Nations, a Swiss University, and an Italian organization.“It was a very dignified assignment. They saw it and they were convinced. They understood it is not helping them, so they began asking for accounts outside that period. Their mandate was to check for accounts during 2022-24, but they started asking for accounts of 2021 and 2020. Then they went to our school asking for various documents outside their mandate period and a school outside the complaint’s purview,” Wangchuk stated.The activist noted that both schools provide free education to needy students, with HIAL students receiving stipends for project work.CBI officers continue their rigorous examination of records in Ladakh, though they haven’t questioned Wangchuk directly.“The funny part is, Ladakh is one place where there is no tax. Yet I voluntarily pay taxes, and I get summons. Then they resurrected a four-year-old complaint that labourers were not paid properly. It is guns blazing from all sides on us,” Wangchuk said.Wangchuk revealed a series of actions against him, including a sedition case by local police and an order to retake HIAL’s land over lease payment issues.“Everyone knows, we have documents to show. The government had almost been apologetic in saying that their lease policy is not formed and hence it cannot take fee. It said ‘please bear with us and continue constructions,'” he mentioned.The investigation coincides with recent unrest in Ladakh, where Wangchuk began a hunger strike on September 10, demanding Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth schedule and statehood.The region experienced its worst violence since 1989 on Wednesday, with youth groups engaging in arson and vandalism at the BJP headquarters and Hill Council, including burning vehicles. Law enforcement had to use teargas to control the situation.
