Delhi HC seeks Centre’s stand in Environics Trust’s plea against FCRA cancellation

The organisation argued that the amount lying in its account may be permitted to be utilised for paying its employees. It further said that the cancellation order was passed without giving it a hearing.

The Central government counsel said the writ petition was not maintainable as there was another remedy of appeal available to the petitioner.

In January this year, the CBI registered an FIR against the NGO for alleged violation of provisions of the FCRA in several bank transfers carried out in 2018, The Indian Express had reported.

The CBI has alleged that Environics Trust has funded agitators and had been involved in activities creating law and order issues in the country. The agency also cited alleged association of the trust with Adivasi activist Deme Oram, who was arrested by the Rourkela Police in 2022 on charges of rioting and unlawful assembly.

“Preliminary enquiry has revealed that ET was also associated with Oram and after analysing the bank statement of FCRA of ET, it has been revealed that ET has financial transactions with Oram. As per bank account statement, Rs 30,000 was transferred on April 17, 2018 from the FCRA account of ET to Oram. It can be said that activities of ET are not genuine and are not in accordance with the object of the trust,” the FIR alleged.