ED files case against BBC for irregularities in foreign funds

The Enforcement Directorate has registered a case against BBC India under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) for irregularities in foreign funding. Official sources said the action was taken by BBC India to investigate irregularities in foreign funding, diversion of funds and violation of regulations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA). The move comes in the wake of searches by the Income Tax at the British broadcaster’s offices in New Delhi and Mumbai in February this year.

The broadcaster came under the radar of Indian agencies after it published a controversial documentary, ‘India: The Modi Question’, which sharply criticized the Indian government and tarnished the country’s image. After a survey by the Income Tax Department, the ED had earlier sent summons to the BBC, demanding an inquiry into the matter. An official from the administrative and editorial departments of BBC is being questioned at the ED’s headquarters here. The government in January directed social media platforms to immediately block YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the documentary. The documentary, which questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, was widely criticized by the Indian government and several sections of the Indian public. The BBC faced allegations of spreading fake news and propaganda, and the Indian government accused the broadcaster of trying to destabilize the country.