The FCRA licence of an NGO run by activist Teesta Setalvad was cancelled by the government for alleged violation of various provisions of law. In an order, the Home Ministry said during inspections, various irregularities were found in Sabrang Trust, where Ms. Teesta and her spouse Javed Anand work as chief functionary or trustee, and after careful examination of the NGO’s response, its registration was cancelled.

According to the Home Ministry, Ms. Teesta and Mr. Anand are also working as directors, co-editors, printers and publisher in the company namely Sabrang Communications & Publishing Pvt Limited (SCPPL) and published a magazine called Communalism Combat.

Sabrang Trust has spent an amount of Rs. 50 lakh for SCPPL clearly violating the mandate of the FCRA. By this action, the NGO has not only utilised the unauthorised foreign contribution for the purposes of an unregistered entity but also that entity being a self-owned media and publication company, utilised that amount for activities totally prohibited by FCRA.

FCRA rules state that if an NGO’s administrative expenses exceed 50 per cent of total foreign donations, the organisation needs an approval from the Home Ministry. 

Another NGO run by Ms. Teesta and Mr. Anand — Citizens for Justice and Peace — has already been put under prior permission category, thus making it mandatory for the organisation to take permission from the Home Ministry before accepting or utilising any foreign contribution.