BREAKING: CBI raids on in premises of senior lawyer couple Indira Jaising and Anand Grover
New Delhi: Raids by the federal investigating agency Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are on at the premises of senior lawyers and activists Indira Jaising and her husband Anand Grover after they have been accused of violating foreign funding laws for their NGO Lawyers Collective.
Media reports said raids are conducted at the residence and offices of Indira Jaising and Anand Grover. Jaising was not in Delhi when the raids started, said reports.
They run the NGO Lawyers Collective which is in the eye of the CBI for allegedly violating the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).
Jaising and Grover are well known lawyers and vocal crtics of the BJP government. Raids followed after a complaint was turned into an FIR following unsatisfactory answers from the lawyers, said reports.
Lawyers Collective is an NGO which seemingly promotes human rights issues, especially issues relating to women's rights, HIV, tobacco, LGBT and parliamentary corruption in India.
In June 2016, the Indian government had suspended the FCRA registration of the NGO for alleged violation of FCRA norms, according to Wikipedia,
The order by the Ministry of Home Affairs had said that foreign funds were used to lobby with MP's and thereby influencing political processes and parliamentary institutions. Another violation cited by the MHA is the payment to foreigners for professional services and travelling expenses.
The foreigners visited India on tourist visa to assist Co-founder Anand Grover, it is reported.
Reactions:
Meanwhile, reactions started pouring in. Senior lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan tweeted: CBI raids at residence of Indira Jaisingh & Anand Grover in case of alleges misuse of foreign funding to their NGO is a clear act of Vendetta. Registration of cases & raids by Govt agencies has now become the way of govt to harass & intimidate opponents.
CBI raids at residence of Indira Jaisingh & Anand Grover in case of alleges misuse of foreign funding to their NGO is a clear act of Vendetta. Registration of cases & raids by Govt agencies has now become the way of govt to harass & intimidate opponentshttps://t.co/TrzChQXg9Q
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) July 11, 2019
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condemned the raids and called it clear vendetta.
I strongly condemn CBI raids on well known senior advocates @IJaising and Mr Anand Grover. Let the law take its own course but subjecting veterans who have all through their lives fought for upholding the rule of law & Constitutional values is clear vendetta
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 11, 2019
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