Home Ministry moves out three senior officers from FCRA-linked division after bribery arrests

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has moved three of the five senior officers posted in its Foreigners Division-II back to their parent cadre, days after two government officials were arrested on allegations of soliciting bribes to facilitate registrations under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). The administrative reshuffle comes amid a widening probe into alleged corruption linked to the processing of FCRA applications.

Background

FCRA registration is mandatory for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in India to receive foreign funding. The MHA’s Foreigners Division oversees key functions related to the law, including FCRA registration, renewal, suspension and cancellation. Concerns over corruption in the processing of these approvals have surfaced periodically over the past decade, prompting both investigations and procedural reforms within the ministry.

Key administrative moves

According to an MHA order dated October 1, Joint Director Saurabh Bansal and Deputy Director Ayush Bansal—both officers of the Indian Cost Accounts Service (ICoAS) posted in Foreigners Division-II—were repatriated to their parent cadre.

In a separate order issued on October 2, another ICoAS officer, Rajesh Kumar T, who was serving as Deputy Secretary in the same division, was “surrendered” to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) for “premature repatriation” to his parent cadre. The moves collectively affect three of the five senior officers in Foreigners Division-II.

Arrests and allegations

The repatriations follow the September 28 arrests of two government officials by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police in connection with alleged bribery related to FCRA processing. In a statement issued earlier, the MHA said the arrests were made in coordination with Central agencies. The two arrested officials—a Senior Accountant and an Accountant—are accused of approaching an association and seeking illegal gratification to expedite its pending FCRA registration.

One of the arrested officials is currently posted in the Foreigners Division, while the other is posted in a Pay and Accounts Office but had previously served in the Foreigners Division. Preliminary questioning, according to the ministry’s statement, indicated that the two were allegedly in contact with multiple associations and had offered to secure FCRA registrations and renewals in exchange for illegal payments.

Investigators are probing the scope of their activities and whether other individuals or entities may have been involved.

Pattern of concerns in the Foreigners Wing

This is not the first time the MHA’s Foreigners Wing has drawn scrutiny over corruption-related allegations. In 2022, the MHA identified at least three consultants who were allegedly offering FCRA-related services to NGOs after obtaining confidential information from ministry officials. The purported racket, which reportedly involved former and serving officials of the ministry and ran for more than six months, was investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Earlier, in 2016, acting on a complaint from the MHA, the CBI raided the residence of Home Ministry official Anand Joshi over alleged corrupt practices and the removal of files related to foreign funds violations involving social activist Teesta Setalvad. Joshi had also issued a notice in November 2015 to environmentalist Sunita Narain’s Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which investigators said had been done arbitrarily. According to the CBI, he came under the scanner after sending standard questionnaires—typically the first step in an FCRA probe—to around 20 NGOs without due process.

System reforms and ongoing oversight

In response to recurring allegations of corruption in FCRA processing, the MHA shifted to an online system for renewals in 2016 to reduce in-person interactions. FCRA renewals are conducted every five years. The move was aimed at increasing transparency and reducing opportunities for malfeasance after repeated complaints from NGOs that officials had sought bribes for renewals.

What’s next

While the three senior officers in Foreigners Division-II have been moved out, the MHA has not publicly linked them to the arrests. The repatriations appear to be an administrative response as investigative agencies continue to examine the extent of the alleged bribery network, potential beneficiaries, and any additional involvement of serving or former officials.

The Delhi Police Special Cell, in coordination with Central agencies, is continuing its inquiry into the two arrested officials. The MHA has indicated that further actions will follow based on the findings.

Correction: This story has been corrected for a wrong acronym.