Face of Nation : The Central Bureau of Investigation is conducting raids at the residence and office of Supreme Court lawyers Indira Jaising and Anand Grover in New Delhi and Mumbai in connection with a foreign funding case. Jaising and Grover run Lawyers Collective, an NGO that focuses on human rights cases among other issues.
“The CBI is currently in our offices and residences in Mumbai and New Delhi,” Jaising told’
Officials, however, did not provide any details of locations where the searches are going on. Grover was booked by the agency for alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) rules.
When contacted by news agency PTI, Grover asked not to be disturbed as he was in the “midst” of it (searches)
Lawyers Collective has denied all charges levelled by the CBI.
The FIR, filed last month, names Grover who is the trustee and director of the organisation as an accused. Unknown officer-bearers and functionaries of the NGO and unknown private persons and public servants were also made accused in the FIR filed under IPC sections that deal with forgery, cheating and criminal conspiracy.
Sections of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 have also been included in the FIR by the central agency after receiving a compliant against the Collective from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condemned the raids saying it was clear vendetta. In a tweet, Kejriwal said: “I strongly condemn CBI raids on well known senior advocates @IJaising and Mr Anand Grover. Let the law take its own course but subjecting veterans who have all through their lives fought for upholding the rule of law & Constitutional values is clear vendetta.”
Senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan said the raids were a means to harass and intimidate.
“CBI raids at residence of Indira Jaisingh & Anand Grover in case of alleges misuse of foreign funding to their NGO is a clear act of Vendetta. Registration of cases & raids by Govt agencies has now become the way of govt to harass & intimidate opponents,” Bhushan tweeted.
