CBI names Omidyar Network and 36 including 6 MHA officials in FCRA bribery scandal

New Delhi, May 12: In a breaking development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has named 10 NGOs including Omidyar Network in the alleged Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) bribery scandal.

 

 

The NGOs and their associates have been named as accused in the FIR. 36 persons/entities, including 6 govt officials who worked in the FCRA division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) & one official of the NIC, have been taken into custody in connection with the case. A few days back, CBI filed an FIR regarding a national FCRA funding scam. At present, there are at least 6 to 8 more networks under the CBI scanner.

 

Omidyar Network is reportedly a self-styled "philanthropic investment firm" comprising a foundation and an impact investment firm. It was established in 2004 by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pam. Omidyar Network reports that it has committed more than $992 million to non-profit organisations and for-profit companies across multiple investment areas.

 

 

 

 

According to reports, the promoters of NGO Omidyar Network are under the scanner for allegedly bribing officials to receive FCRA licenses. A senior CBI officer said that over the period, these FCRA officials, along with middlemen, have developed a nexus to extort money to provide a favorable report to NGOs to receive foreign funds. The NGOs then paid bribes to get requisite clearance for foreign funds.

 

The FIR reads, "On April 24, Devesh Chandra Mishra, contacted Tushar Kanti Roy for clearing of permission for receiving foreign remittance worth Rs three crore as a donation for an NGO namely Omidyar. And in return, Roy assured arranging permission but demanded 10 percent of the total remittance as a bribe. Devesh Mishra asked for negotiation of the bribe amount as 10 percent is too high for the said work. Devesh Mishra told Tushar Kanti Roy that the promoters of NGO Omidyar are ready to pay Rs 5 lakhs. Finally, Tushar Kanti Roy told that for Rs 5 lakhs only he can’t talk with his colleagues, they have to give at least seven percent of the foreign donation as a bribe as he has to give it to others as well."

.

.