Teesta Setalvad NGO: CBI begins probe

New Delhi, July 8: The Central Bureau of Investigation has officially commenced its probe against Teesta Setalvad and her husband, Javed Anand in connection with the case of receiving foreign funds without prior permission from the government.

The Central Bureau of Investigation registered a First Information Report against Teesta, her husband and also the Sabrang Communications and Publishing Pvt Ltd.

The Union Home Ministry had handed over the probe to the CBI after alleged irregularities were found under the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act (FCRA). The case has been booked under the FCRA.

To be questioned

CBI officials will question Teesta, Javed Anand and several others in connection with the case. No date of questioning has been fixed, but it would be anytime soon, a CBI officer informed OneIndia.

We are examining a lot of aspects in this case the officer said. One of the primary aspects under investigation is the alleged misuse of the funds that the NGO run by Teesta had committed, the officer further pointed out.

The allegation is that Sabrang Trust received funds from abroad amounting to nearly Rs 1 crore. The Gujarat government had complained that these funds had been misused and hence an investigation was mandated.

Documents will be examined

The CBI before it calls in Teesta for questioning would call for documents of the NGO. It would examine the documents first to find the exact money trail. How the money came in and the manner in which it was spent will be investigated by the CBI.

The Union Home Ministry prior to handing over the case to the CBI had examined the investigations conducted by the Gujarat government. It had also conducted an independent inquiry and found that there were violations prima facie.

The Home Ministry in its note to the CBI had said that there are violations prima facie. Taking into account the gravity of the case it has been decided that a competent authority such as the CBI shall conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.

OneIndia News