The Ministry of Home Affairs cancelled SECMOL’s FCRA registration over violations, marking a major setback for activist Sonam Wangchuk.
In a big setback for activist Sonam Wangchuk, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday cancelled the FCRA registration of Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), citing multiple violations under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010.
The decision came after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) started probing alleged violation of the FCRA against the Wangchuk-led institute, a day after 4 people were killed in violent protests in Ladakh.
The Ladakh-based educational institute was issued a show-cause notice on August 20 over the allegations of financial misreporting, misuse of foreign contributions, and activities deemed contrary to national interest, followed by a reminder on September 10, asking Sonam’s NGO to explain why its licence should not be cancelled.
The association responded on September 19. The Home Ministry examined the reply and listed several violations.
What MHA Found?
As per the findings accessed by CNN-News18, the MHA flagged instances of non-compliance of the FCRA between 2020 and 2022. In 2021-22, a deposit of Rs 3.5 lakh made by Wangchuk into SECMOL’s FCRA account was found to be in violation of Section 17 of the FCRA, which mandates proper disclosure and reporting of foreign funds.
Similarly, in 2020-21, three individuals deposited Rs54,600 — domestic funds — into the FCRA account, again breaching Section 17 norms. Later, SECMOL admitted this was a procedural error.
Further, SECMOL received Rs 4.93 lakh from the Sweden-based Framtidsjorden Foundation for educational programmes, including content related to national sovereignty. The MHA deemed this against national interest, citing a violation of Section 124f(i) of the FCRA.
Additionally, SECMOL accepted Rs 19,600 from a donor, Megha Sanghavi, meant for volunteer expenses. Though the amount was later returned, authorities noted that such handling of foreign funds is impermissible under FCRA rules.
The organisation also reported Rs 79,200 as foreign contribution collected directly from staff salaries as food fees, rather than crediting it into the designated FCRA account. This was flagged as a violation of Sections 18 and 19 of the FCRA.
The Home Ministry held SECMOL for a series of breaches under Sections 17, 18, 19, 81a, and 124f(i), calling it a pattern of “systemic non-compliance” with the Act and conditions of registration, and thus revoked SECMOL’s FCRA Certificate No. 152710012R with immediate effect.
CBI Probes Into FCRA Violations
Meanwhile, the central probe agency has started its inquiry into the funding of Wangchuk’s other institute– Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL)– two months ago.
The climate activist, who has been vocal for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh, confirmed the development with the news agency, saying that about ten days ago, a CBI team came with an order citing a complaint from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) alleging FCRA violations by the HIAL.
“The order said we have not taken clearance under FCRA to receive foreign funds. We don’t want to be dependent on foreign funds, but we export our knowledge and raise revenue. In three such instances, they thought it was foreign contribution,” he said.
HIAL and SECMOL give free education to young students who need it and cannot afford on their own. In HIAL, the students are also paid a stipend for various projects that they undertake and work upon.
Ladakh Unrest
The latest developments came amid accusations against the activist that he incited a mob that turned violent on Wednesday over the demand for statehood for Ladakh.
At least four people were killed and over 80 were injured after protests demanding statehood turned violent.
The BJP office was vandalised and set on fire, as were several vehicles. Flames and clouds of smoke could be seen from afar, with police resorting to firing and teargas shelling to bring the situation under control.