Shivangi Prakash-
Published on: September 10, 2021, at 11:25 IST
Days after online crowdfunding platform Ketto sent an email to those who donated money to campaigns started by journalist Rana Ayyub , saying they had been informed by “Indian law enforcement agencies” that the funds were “not utilized for the purpose for which they were raised,” the Ghaziabad Police have registered a FIR against her.
Calls, messages, and emails to Ayyub were not returned.
The FIR was filed in response to a complaint filed by a co-founder of the ‘Hindu IT Cell,’ who accused her of obtaining public funds unlawfully in the name of charity. According to Vikas Sankrityayan’s complaint to the Ghaziabad police, Ketto wrote a letter to people who gave to Ayyub’s campaigns.
Ayyub is also accused of violating the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act by “Receiving foreign money without any type of authorisation certificate/registration from the government.”
Abhay Kumar, Circle Officer, Indirapuram, said, “An FIR has been filed in Indirapuram police station for alleged misuse of donation funds. We will have to examine evidence since it involves another organisation.”
Ketto’s email, which was sent on August 27, said, “Ketto has been informed by the Indian law enforcement agencies that the funds (partly of fully) raised in the said campaigns were not utilised for the purpose for which they were raised and the funds (partly) are still in the accounts of the respective campaigns.”
Ketto’s representatives did not answer to questions about the law enforcement agencies who contacted them.
Ayyub had created three campaigns, according to Ketto’s email to donors: one for slum residents and farmers, one for relief efforts in Assam, Bihar, and Maharashtra, and one for persons affected by Covid-19 in India.
Ketto’s email added, “When enquired by Ketto, the campaigner has intimated that out of the total funds received (about 1.90 crores INR net) and 1.09 lakhs USD (net) for these campaigns (total around Rs 2.69 crore approx), only a portion has been spent (about 1.25 crores), and certain amounts have been or will be paid as taxes (about 90 lakhs). The balance funds, after these debits, are still retained by the campaigner.”
The FIR was filed under IPC sections 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 418 (cheating with knowledge that wrongful loss may result to person whose interest offender is bound to protect) and other sections.
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