ED alleges Rs 92-crore illegal US missionary funding network linked to Maoist areas

The ED complaint, filed by Assistant Director Sunil Kumar Sinhmar, also names Jonathan S Rajan, TTI’s India operations head based in Bengaluru; Micah Mark, Bengaluru; Ajit Varghese Mathai, Kothanur; Varghese Chacko, Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh; Bablu Kurmi, Goalpara, Assam; and Supreme Joy, Mysuru.

ED said the funds were received and utilised without a valid FCRA registration or government permission. Cards were allegedly issued in a fictitious name, Santosh Kumar. Additionally, TTI’s global portal became inaccessible to Indian users following ED’s raids, and digital banking records were allegedly deleted under Mark’s direction.

ED said its investigation revealed that in Dhamtari, a Maoist-affected area, foreign debit cards were used at the Vijaya Paleja branch ATM of a cooperative bank, with Chacko allegedly overseeing withdrawals. It claimed to have found evidence of Rs 6.34 crore being funnelled into these regions to sustain cash-based networks linked to Maoist units and cadres.

The FIR states that the foreign funds were intended to support unlawful activities in Maoist-affected regions. Jonathan Rajan is alleged to have overseen TTI’s entire India financial operations, coordinating with Ajit Varghese Mathai to route funds through front units, including Layer LLC and Karxess LLC. Mathai’s office was searched, and Rs 37 lakh in cash was seized. TTI’s total expenditure in India is estimated to exceed Rs 95 crore, the FIR stated.

The accused have been charged under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 318 (4), 335(a)(2), 336(3), 238, 61(2), and 190, as well as Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act sections 13, 17, and 18.