The Union Home Ministry on Thursday recommended a CBI probe into the affairs of the Indian arm of the global NGO Oxfam for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, sources said.

The home ministry found that Oxfam India continued to transfer foreign contributions to various entities, including other NGOs, even after registering under the FCRA, which prohibits such transfers after an amendment that came into force on September 29, 2020, sources said. Oxfam India is the second NGO against whom the home ministry has recommended a CBI probe within a month for alleged violation of the FCRA. On March 20, the home ministry recommended a CBI inquiry against Aman Biradari, an NGO established by activist Harsh Mander.

Aman Biradari was one of the NGOs to which Oxfam India transferred foreign contributions, violating the law, sources said. There was no immediate reaction from Oxfam India. During a survey by the Income-Tax department, multiple emails were found which revealed that Oxfam India was allegedly planning to circumvent provisions of the FCRA by routing funds to other FCRA-registered associations or through the for-profit consultancy route, sources said. The survey also “exposed” Oxfam India as a probable instrument of the foreign policy of foreign organisations or entities, which have funded the NGO liberally over the years, they said.

Kerala train fire accused arrested from Maharashtra

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra Police and Central Intelligence on Wednesday, April 5,  nabbed a man suspected of starting fire on a Kerala train that killed three people. The absconding accused, identified as Shahrukh Saifi, was nabbed from Ratnagiri railway station.

According to the Maharashtra ATS, he will be handed over soon to a team of Kerala cops and is expected to be brought to Kochi by evening.

In a statement to ANI, Kerala DGP Anil Kant confirmed that Saifi has been taken into custody. “After a detailed interrogation of the accused, we will be able to know more details,” he added.

Saifi, who hails from Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh, was reported missing from his house on March 30. His parents had filed a missing person’s complaint on Saturday. His plans to escape to Gujarat was foiled as the burn injuries on his face aggravated and Saifi was forced to get down in Maharashtra, a senior officer said.

He had allegedly poured petrol on a co-passenger, injuring several others, inside the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express on Sunday after the train left Kozhikode railway station. At least three of the injured are women.