The CBI searched Oxfam India's office in Delhi and filed an FIR against the organisation and its office holders for allegedly breaking the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.
Following a complaint from the Union home ministry, which had previously banned Oxfam India's FCRA licence, the CBI opened the case. According to the lawsuit, between 2013 and 2016, Oxfam India received at least £150,000 into their 'foreign donation utilisation' account rather than the authorised bank account. The complaint further claims that Oxfam India routed Rs 12,70,000 to the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) in the financial year 2019-20 in violation of FCRA rules and that the non-government organisation intended to bypass the FCRA by transferring funds to other associations or for-profit consultancy firms.
During a survey last year, the CBI obtained multiple emails related to this from Oxfam India's office. According to the MHA's complaint, emails discovered during the survey purportedly revealed that Oxfam India planned to use international governments and institutions to pressure the Indian government towards renewing the FCRA.
The 37-paged FIR also mentions a property worth £400,000 sold by British citizen, Banwari Lal, to Oxfam India but the value in gift deed is stated as £200,000, triggering suspicions of undervaluation and evading of stamp duty.
Oxfam India has denied any wrongdoing and said that it was cooperating with the authorities.