The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated an inquiry into alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) concerning institutions established by Sonam Wangchuk, an educationist and activist from Ladakh. CBI officials confirmed to the Press Trust of India (PTI) that the inquiry has been underway for some time; however, no formal case has been registered yet.
Wangchuk informed PTI that a CBI team visited approximately ten days ago with an order claiming they were responding to a complaint from the Ministry of Home Affairs about potential FCRA breaches at the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL). He noted that the order stated they had not obtained clearance under FCRA to receive foreign funds. “We don’t wish to be dependent on foreign funds, but we export our knowledge and generate revenue,” he elaborated, mentioning that authorities deemed some transactions as foreign contributions.
The situation in the region has been exacerbated, with Leh experiencing significant unrest. Reports indicate that on Wednesday, there was widespread violence, including arson targeting vehicles and property, as well as attacks on the BJP headquarters and Hill Council building. In response, law enforcement deployed tear gas to restore order. The main market in Leh remained largely deserted the following day, with shops closed. In light of the unrest, a ban on gatherings of five or more people under Section 163 of the BNSS was enacted, and Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta convened a high-level security meeting to discuss increasing vigilance and promoting inter-agency coordination to maintain public order.
Wangchuk stated that the CBI team sought detailed accounts of funds received by both HIAL and the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) from 2022 to 2024. He maintained that the transactions in question were legitimate service agreements with due taxes paid, involving collaborations with the United Nations, a Swiss university, and an Italian organization. “It was a very dignified assignment,” he stated, suggesting that investigators appeared to be extending their scrutiny beyond the intended timeframe and even reaching out to unrelated schools. These educational institutions provide free education to needy students and offer stipends for project work at HIAL.
As per Wangchuk, the CBI officers continue to operate in Ladakh, rigorously reviewing records. He mentioned that he has not been personally questioned during this process. He further alleged that the investigation follows a pattern of actions aimed at him, including a sedition case filed by local police and the revocation of land allotted for HIAL due to purported unpaid lease fees. “We have documents to show,” he emphasized, explaining that the government had acknowledged the lack of a formal lease policy, which precluded them from collecting fees.
Additionally, Wangchuk described receiving income tax summons and the revival of an old complaint regarding unpaid laborers. “The irony is that Ladakh is one area where there is no tax, yet I voluntarily pay taxes and receive summons,” he remarked, highlighting the ongoing pressure he faces from various governmental fronts.
