CBI raids Teesta Setalvad's home in Mumbai

Mumbai, July 14: In a major crackdown, the Central Bureau of Investigation has raided the residence and office of social activist, Teesta Setalvad. The raids are part of the ongoing investigation into the cases lodged by the CBI against Teesta Setalvad in connection with the violations under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).

CBI sources informed that the raids are part of the investigation and was aimed at procuring documents. The investigations have so far learnt that there have been alleged violations while getting and spending funds from abroad.

Raids will continue:

The CBI says that there are likely to be more raids in connection with this case. We are in the process of looking for documents related to the case. In order to ascertain the exact nature of the funds received and also spent, it is necessary to procure some documents and hence the raid, the officer further informed.

The CBI is also likely to question several persons in connection with this case. We will begin the process of collecting the statements of several persons associated with Teesta Setalvad's NGO, Sabrang Communications and Publishing Pvt Ltd.

The CBI is examining documents related to the company and bank account details and records for 2006-07 to 2014-15.

Cases booked:

The CBI had registered a case five days back against Teesta and her husband Javed Anand. Cases were also registered against a businessman, Ghulam Mohammad and the SCPPL for alleged violations under the FCRA.

The CBI during its preliminary rounds of investigation had found that there was illegal diversion of funds. According to the investigations, Sabrang Trust had received foreign contribitions and this was diverted to the SCPPL. The amount in question is around Rs 1 crore.

It was the Gujarat government which had accused Teesta and her husband of diverting funds. It was alleged that she had received funds quoting rehabilitation of the riot victims. However this money was diverted the Gujarat government alleged while requesting the Union Home Ministry to intervene.

During the probe it had been found that there were several violations which included the failure to maintain a book of accounts for foreign contributions and the manner in which it had been spent.

The Home Ministry had taken into account these factors and while terming the case as grave and complex ordered a probe by the CBI.

OneIndia News