India investigates Oxfam for suspected foreign funding violation

India’s federal investigating agency has started an inquiry into Oxfam India after the government alleged the charity had violated the country’s foreign funding regulations.
Thousands of civil society groups in India have had their licences to receive overseas donations cancelled since 2014 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government tightened surveillance on non-profit groups regulated under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
New Delhi did not renew Oxfam India’s FCRA registration when it lapsed at the end of 2021 and Oxfam India’s office was searched by the country’s tax officials last September.
Oxfam India said earlier this month that it was “fully compliant” with the country’s laws and has filed all its statutory compliances, including FCRA returns, in a timely manner.
It said on April 6, “Oxfam India has been cooperating with all government agencies since its FCRA registration wasn’t renewed in December 2021.”