FCRA-Registered NGOs Misused Foreign Funds To Settle Illegal Immigrants, ED Probe Reveals

Published 16 July 2026 · india

FCRA-Registered NGOs Misused Foreign Funds To Settle Illegal Immigrants, ED Probe Reveals Reported By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 13:43 IST The ED says the

FCRA-Registered NGOs Misused Foreign Funds To Settle Illegal Immigrants, ED Probe Reveals Reported By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 13:43 IST The ED says the network helped Rohingya and Bangladeshi infiltrators obtain fake identity documents, jobs, cash benefits and other means to settle in India. Rapid Read The ED seized digital devices and incriminating documents during searches at 13 locations across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and West Bengal. (File pic/ANI) An Enforcement Directorate investigation into an alleged illegal infiltration racket has uncovered shocking details about the misuse of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) regime. The central agency seized digital devices and incriminating documents during searches at 13 locations across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and West Bengal. The evidence allegedly revealed a money trail from the UK to FCRA-registered NGOs and, subsequently, to illegal infiltrators. “It was also revealed that a syndicate operates via public charitable trusts registered under the FCRA, and these trusts used to receive funds from UK-based entities. Thereafter, funds were transferred to the suspected individuals in small tranches of Rs 6,000, Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000, among others, to help them settle in India. The ultimate utilisation of the laundered funds was directed towards the economic rehabilitation of illegal immigrants to anchor them permanently within India," ED officials told CNN-News18. An officer added that the alleged conspirators did not stop at aiding infiltration but also helped illegal immigrants secure employment.

“To generate permanent income for these infiltrators, this trust provided money or alternative arrangements, such as an e-rickshaw, jobs or cash benefits," the officer said. NGOs Under The Scanner Some of the NGOs under the scanner are Harora Al-Jamiatul Islamia Darul Uloom, Kalilkapur, West Bengal Mohalla Mahal, near Madini Masjid, Deoband, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh — 247554 Tahiria Welfare Trust, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal The ED conducted searches at 13 premises in Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and Murshidabad in West Bengal; Ballabhgarh in Haryana’s Faridabad; Deoband in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur; Delhi; and other places. The searches were carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with the alleged illegal infiltration of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals into India. The original FIR filed by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad alleged that an organised syndicate was facilitating the illegal infiltration of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals into India. The UP ATS alleged that the network arranged forged Indian identity documents and helped rehabilitate the infiltrators in various parts of the country. “Predicate investigation has revealed a deep-rooted financial network involving certain charitable trusts and entities allegedly receiving substantial foreign contributions and diverting the same through multiple bank accounts, mule accounts and layered transactions to facilitate illegal activities. The predicate investigation has also indicated the use of cash withdrawals and small-value transfers to suspected beneficiaries," ED officials said.