Il Ministero degli Interni trasferisce 3 dei 5 ufficiali della divisione colpita da accuse di corruzione

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has transferred three of its five senior officers from the Foreigners Division-II following allegations of bribery linked to the processing of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registrations. This decision comes days after two officials were arrested by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell on September 28 for allegedly seeking bribes to facilitate FCRA registrations for an NGO. According to an MHA order dated October 1, Joint Director Saurabh Bansal and Deputy Director Ayush Bansal, both from the Indian Cost Accounts Service (ICoAS), have been repatriated to their parent cadre. Another ICoAS officer, Rajesh Kumar T, a Deputy Secretary in the Foreigners Division-II, has been surrendered to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) for premature repatriation, per an October 2 directive. FCRA registration is essential for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) receiving foreign funding. The Foreigners Division within the MHA handles matters related to FCRA registration, renewal, suspension, and cancellation. The MHA stated that the arrests were conducted in coordination with central agencies. One of the accused is currently posted in the Foreigners Division, while the other works in a Pay and Accounts Office but had previously been stationed in the Foreigners Division. Initial questioning suggests that the two officials were allegedly in communication with multiple associations, offering assistance in securing FCRA registrations and renewals in exchange for illegal payments. Authorities are investigating the scope of these activities and whether other entities might be implicated. This is not the first instance of corruption allegations against the MHA’s Foreigners Wing. In 2022, the ministry identified at least three consultants providing FCRA-related services to NGOs after acquiring confidential information from ministry officials. The alleged scheme, involving both current and former MHA personnel, operated for over six months before being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In 2016, the CBI raided the home of Anand Joshi, an MHA official, for his suspected involvement in corrupt practices, including taking files related to foreign fund violations by social activist Teesta Setalvad. Joshi had issued arbitrary notices to NGOs, including the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), prompting the CBI’s scrutiny. Following these corruption allegations, the MHA transitioned to an online renewal system for FCRA-registered NGOs in 2016 to minimize direct interaction between officials and applicants. Renewals occur every five years. Separately, a different case involving bribery has emerged in the defense sector. SMPP Limited, a defense firm, may face a suspension or a ban on government business dealings due to the arrest of its CEO, Ashish Kansal, and two others by the CBI in connection with a ₹500 crore ammunition deal. Officials indicated that the department of defense production is considering potential actions against the firm, though neither SMPP nor the defense ministry responded to queries. The allegations against Munitions India Limited (MIL) executive director Anil Kumar involve the disclosure of sensitive information in exchange for bribes. During a raid on Kumar’s premises in Pune, the CBI recovered ₹1.73 crore in cash. Additional raids in Mysuru, Bengaluru, and Delhi yielded ₹50 lakh in cash and incriminating documents. The CBI is examining all recent contracts awarded by Kumar at MIL to investigate links between procurement decisions, private vendors, and payments. Kumar is currently under interrogation, with allegations suggesting he accepted bribes to favor SMPP Limited in the ammunition deal. The CBI has invoked provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Corruption Act. Officials emphasized the importance of reviewing MIL’s contracts, given their significance to national security. They plan to request relevant files and contracts from the defense ministry and MIL management to establish connections between procurement decisions, private vendors, and payments. In a separate development, Haryana’s vigilance department has crowdsourced a list of 190 top officials suspected of accepting bribes. The initiative aims to identify individuals who demand money for expedited processes or approvals. While specific details of the operation remain unclear, the effort underscores growing concerns about corruption within public administration. The CBI’s investigation into the SMPP case highlights how financial transactions, particularly those involving hawala transfers, can lead to uncovering corruption. The agency traced the flow of illicit funds to locate and arrest those involved. This method has proven effective in identifying individuals engaged in corrupt practices, especially in sectors handling sensitive information and high-value contracts. As the investigations continue, authorities are expected to take further steps based on findings from both the FCRA and defense sectors. These cases reflect ongoing efforts to address systemic corruption and ensure transparency in governmental operations.