The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched an inquiry into alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) against the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL), founded by educationist and activist Sonam Wangchuk. Officials on Thursday confirmed that no FIR has been registered yet, although an inquiry has been ongoing for some time, as per news agency PTI. Wangchuk told the media that a CBI team arrived with “an order” about 10 days ago acting on a Ministry of Home Affairs complaint regarding alleged foreign funding violations. “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,” Wangchuk explained. He added that the CBI visited HIAL and the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), demanding records of foreign funds between 2022 and 2024. According to him, the teams are still stationed in Ladakh and examining financial statements of the organisations.
