ED Searches Jaisalmer Premises Over Alleged ₹5.10 Crore Foreign Donation Diversion
Probe alleges receipt of Belgium-linked funds without FCRA authorisation, misdeclaration of remittance purposes and withdrawal of ₹2.60 crore in cash
(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
Jaipur, September 21: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has conducted searches at two premises in Jaisalmer in connection with the alleged misuse of foreign donations amounting to approximately ₹5.10 crore.
According to a press release issued by the ED, the searches were carried out on September 19 by its Jaipur Zonal Office under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA).
The agency stated that the funds were allegedly received from a Belgium-based entity without the requisite permission under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 (FCRA) and were purportedly utilised for purposes other than those declared to the banking authorities.
The investigation was initiated on the basis of intelligence concerning the alleged receipt of foreign funds by Deu Ram, a Jaisalmer resident, and his associate Gyan Chand.
The agency suspects that the funds were channelled for activities involving proselytization and alleged influence over the cultural and religious beliefs of vulnerable sections of society.
Funds Allegedly Received Under Misdeclared Purpose Codes
The ED stated that Deu Ram and Gyan Chand received foreign remittances totalling approximately ₹5.10 crore, primarily from Amar ASBL, described as a Brussels-based non-profit organisation.
The remittances were allegedly declared under several purpose codes, including educational services, cultural and recreational activities, family maintenance and savings, commission-agent services, and employee compensation.
The agency, however, claimed that no corresponding educational, cultural or recreational services were provided to the Belgium-based entity.
According to the preliminary findings, the funds were instead allegedly managed and deployed for activities in Jaisalmer.
The ED further alleged that Deu Ram received the money without FCRA authorisation, misrepresented the purpose of the remittances and used a portion of the funds for personal expenses.
The agency stated that Deu Ram allegedly withdrew approximately ₹2.60 crore in cash from his bank account.
It also claimed that no proper books of account or financial records were maintained to document the receipt and utilisation of the foreign contributions.
Belgium-Based Organisation Under ED Lens
The searches allegedly revealed that Amar ASBL was established in Brussels in 2011 and is managed by Belgian nationals Jose Goffinet and Salian Goffinet.
The ED stated that although the organisation has been operating exclusively in Jaisalmer, it has not registered any trust or non-governmental organisation in India.
Instead, the agency alleged that Amar ASBL had been operating in Jaisalmer through Deu Ram and Gyan Chand for the past 14 to 15 years.
The preliminary investigation further indicated that the two individuals were in regular contact with the Belgian nationals, who allegedly visited Jaisalmer annually for two to three weeks.
During such visits, they purportedly met the parents and relatives of children and organised meetings and religious gatherings aimed at promoting their cultural and religious beliefs and practices.
ED Alleges Attempt to Reroute Remittances
The agency also stated that, after banks recently declined to credit foreign remittances into the accounts of Deu Ram and Gyan Chand, attempts were allegedly made to route the funds through the personal bank accounts of other related persons in Jaisalmer.
During the search operations, the ED claimed to have recovered incriminating documents and digital evidence.
The agency has not disclosed details of any arrests or seizures arising from the searches.
The investigation remains under progress. The allegations are part of an ongoing inquiry, and the persons named in the ED’s press release will have the opportunity to respond in accordance with law.
