Jaipur, Sep 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Jaipur Zonal Office of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted search operations at two locations in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district in connection with the alleged misuse of foreign donations worth around Rs 5.10 crore received from a Belgium-based entity without mandatory registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), officials said on Monday.
The searches were carried out on September 19 under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, following intelligence inputs that a Jaisalmer resident, identified as Deu Ram, was allegedly receiving foreign funds from Belgium-based organisations and using them for activities aimed at influencing vulnerable sections of society under the guise of educational and social welfare initiatives.
According to the ED, its investigation found that Deu Ram and his associate, Gyan Chand, received around Rs 5.10 crore in foreign remittances, largely by declaring the funds as payments for educational services, cultural and recreational activities, and family maintenance or savings from non-resident Indians. A substantial portion of the funds was allegedly received from Amar ASBL, a Brussels-based non-profit organisation.
During the searches, officials recovered several incriminating documents and digital records. The probe revealed that Amar ASBL, established in Brussels in 2011, is managed by Belgian nationals Jose Goffinet and his son Salian Goffinet.
Despite operating exclusively in Jaisalmer, the organisation has neither registered any trust nor set up an NGO in India, and has allegedly conducted its activities through Deu Ram and Gyan Chand for the past 14 to 15 years.
The ED alleged that the foreign donations were received without obtaining the required FCRA permissions and that the purpose of the remittances was misdeclared.
Investigators further claimed that a portion of the funds was diverted for personal expenditure, while the remaining amount was used to influence the cultural and religious beliefs of vulnerable communities under the cover of providing educational support to children.
According to the agency, nearly Rs 2.60 crore was withdrawn in cash from bank accounts linked to the recipients, while no proper books of accounts or financial records were maintained regarding the receipt and utilisation of the foreign funds.
The investigation also found that Jose and Salian Goffinet allegedly visited Jaisalmer annually, interacted with families of beneficiary children, and organised meetings and religious gatherings.
The ED said the foreign funds were routed through multiple purpose codes, including family maintenance, educational services, cultural and recreational services, commission agent services, and employee compensation, even though no such services were actually rendered to the Belgian organisation.
The agency further alleged that after banks recently stopped accepting foreign remittances into the accounts of Deu Ram and Gyan Chand, efforts were made to route the funds through the personal bank accounts of other associates in Jaisalmer.
Further investigation is underway.
Source: IANS
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