Daijiworld Media Network - Jaipur
Jaipur, Sep 21: The Jaipur Zonal Office of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted searches 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 organisation without mandatory registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), officials said on Monday.
The searches were conducted 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 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 programmes.
According to the ED, its investigation found that Deu Ram and his associate Gyan Chand had received around Rs 5.10 crore in foreign remittances. The funds were largely declared as payments towards educational services, cultural and recreational activities, and family maintenance or savings from non-resident Indians.
A substantial portion of the remittances was allegedly received from Amar ASBL, a Brussels-based non-profit organisation.
During the searches, the agency recovered several incriminating documents and digital records. The investigation revealed that Amar ASBL, established in Brussels in 2011, is managed by Belgian nationals Jose Goffinet and his son Salian Goffinet.
The ED said that despite operating exclusively in Jaisalmer, Amar ASBL had neither registered a trust nor established an NGO in India. Instead, it allegedly carried out its activities through Deu Ram and Gyan Chand for the past 14 to 15 years.
The agency alleged that the foreign donations were received without obtaining the mandatory FCRA permissions and that the actual purpose of the remittances was misdeclared.
Investigators further alleged that part of the funds was diverted towards personal expenses, while the remaining amount was used to influence the cultural and religious beliefs of vulnerable communities under the cover of providing educational assistance to children.
The ED said nearly Rs 2.60 crore was withdrawn in cash from bank accounts linked to the recipients. It also found that no proper books of accounts or financial records were maintained regarding the receipt and utilisation of the foreign funds.
The probe further revealed that Jose and Salian Goffinet allegedly visited Jaisalmer every year, interacted with the families of beneficiary children and organised meetings and religious gatherings.
According to the agency, the foreign funds were routed using multiple purpose codes, including family maintenance, educational services, cultural and recreational services, commission agent services and employee compensation, although no such services were actually provided to the Belgian organisation.
The ED also alleged that after banks recently stopped accepting foreign remittances in the accounts of Deu Ram and Gyan Chand, attempts were made to route the funds through the personal bank accounts of other associates in Jaisalmer.
Further investigation is underway.