The Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested two government officials, including one currently serving in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Foreigners Division, for allegedly demanding illegal gratification from an association to clear its pending Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration.
The arrests were made following a direct tip-off from the MHA after suspicious activities were identified internally.
Key Details of the Bribery Case
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- Accused Involved: The arrestees include a senior accountant currently posted in the MHA’s Foreigners Division and an accountant working in a Pay and Accounts Office who previously served in the same division.
- Modus Operandi: The duo allegedly targeted associations seeking FCRA registration or renewal, demanding illegal gratification in exchange for facilitating their applications.
- Broader Investigation: Authorities are probing whether the officials were involved in clearing similar FCRA registration approvals in the past.
“Preliminary questioning indicates that the two officials were in contact with certain associations to facilitate their registration and renewal in exchange for illegal gratification,” a government spokesperson confirmed.
MHA Reaffirms Zero Tolerance Policy
Following the arrests, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an official statement emphasizing that all FCRA-related applications, renewals, and services are strictly conducted online through the dedicated FCRA portal.
The ministry clarified that no intermediary, agent, or individual is authorized to facilitate or expedite any services under the act.
FCRA Context & Ongoing Legislative Review
The FCRA governs how Indian individuals, associations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and trusts receive and utilize funds from overseas sources. Originally enacted in 1976 and overhauled in 2010, the law has undergone multiple amendments over the years to bolster financial transparency.
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Event / Timeline |
Context |
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FCRA Framework |
Regulates foreign contributions, reporting, and utilization across Indian entities. |
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2026 Legislative Updates |
The government introduced the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 to improve governance and asset oversight. |
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Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) |
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla constituted a 31-member JPC to review the 2026 amendment bill following objections over asset takeover provisions. |
The ongoing legislative discussions center around controversial provisions in the 2026 amendment bill that allow a Centre-appointed designated authority to take over, manage, or dispose of assets created via foreign contributions if an NGO’s FCRA license is canceled, suspended, or not renewed.
