New Delhi, January 23 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against Oxfam India, a research and advocacy organization, and its former CEO Amitabh Behar for alleged violations of foreign funding rules, officials announced.

The chargesheet, submitted to a special court, names both Oxfam India and Behar, who currently serves as the Executive Director of Oxfam International. The case originates from a complaint lodged by the Ministry of Home Affairs in April 2023. Efforts to obtain a response from Oxfam India via email were unsuccessful at the time of this report.

The complaint, now part of the FIR, accuses Oxfam India of attempting to bypass legal restrictions and raise funds despite its Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration lapsing. It further alleges that email communications uncovered during an income tax survey by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) indicate plans by Oxfam India to influence the Indian government for FCRA renewal through foreign governments and organizations.

In an earlier statement, Oxfam India emphasized its compliance with Indian laws. “Oxfam India strictly adheres to Indian regulations and has consistently submitted statutory documents, including FCRA returns, on time. Since our FCRA registration was not renewed in December 2021, we have been fully cooperating with all government agencies,” the organization stated.

This case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of NGOs and their adherence to FCRA regulations in India.