The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had on September 16 searched premises belonging to Harsh Mander, a former Indian Administrative Service officer and social activist, in connection with a money laundering probe.
The searches were conducted at Adchini, Mehrauli and Vasant Kunj in south Delhi hours after Mr Mander left for Germany with his wife for a six-month fellowship program at the Robert Bosch Academy.
“ED’s investigation pertains to a First Information Report” [FIR] Registered by the Economic Offenses Wing of Delhi Police in February,” said a senior agency official.
The police registered a case against the two children’s homes and their parent body, the Center for Equity Studies, which is headed by Mr. Mander. This was based on a report submitted by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) last year, which highlighted alleged financial irregularities. Mr. Mander’s name is not in the FIR.
In February, the Mehrauli police had registered an FIR under various provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act and the Indian Penal Code on a complaint from the NCPCR registrar alleging violations.
NCPCR teams inspect Umaid Aman Ghar and Khushi Rainbow Home of children’s homes in South Delhi in October 2020.
Perpetuation of Harassment: CES
The Center for Equity Studies (CES), in a statement, confirmed the searches conducted by the ED at its office, Umaid Ghar and Mr. Mander’s residence. It alleged, “This is a continuation of the harassment and coercion of CES and Harsh Mander for being a vocal and passionate defender of human rights.”
The organization said that over the past several months, it was under raids, investigations and inquiries by various government agencies including Delhi Police and NCPCR.
“CES cooperates with every government agency by providing all organizational details requested by the agencies, including balance sheets and other financial and program related documents,” it said.
CES stressed that it is committed to cooperating with the ongoing search and will provide any information required by ED. It said, “… this constant oppression has hindered the way of our organizational approach of working for the poorest and most marginalized sections of the society.”
There was a sharp reaction from politicians to the discoveries.
Tharoor ‘shocked’.
“I am shocked and disappointed to read about the ED raid on my friend and college batchmate Harsh_Mandar… He is a man of undeniable honesty and integrity, incapable of doing wrong, almost too much for today’s India’s standards. Honest. This raid is a mockery,” Congress leader Shashi Tharoor tweeted.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted: “A day after the International Day of Democracy, the Modi government continues with its FDI obsession – by fear, deceit, intimidation, harassing Harsh Mander, a renowned activist and intellectual. And he lectures others on inclusivity and democracy!”
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