ED Books US-Based NGO and Six Others Over ₹92.55 Crore Foreign Fund Misuse
The Enforcement Directorate has booked a US-based NGO and six individuals for the alleged misuse of ₹92.55 crore in foreign funds. The investigation, citing UAPA violations, focuses on a network of foreign debit cards used in LWE-affected regions.
Highlights
- •ED files case against US-based NGO for ₹92.55 crore foreign fund misuse.
- •Six individuals and The Timothy Initiative named in the Bengaluru FIR.
- •Over 1,000 foreign-origin debit cards were allegedly distributed across India.
- •Funds traced to LWE-affected regions in Chhattisgarh, raising UAPA concerns.
A significant investigation into foreign fund misuse has been launched following a complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Legal authorities in Bengaluru have officially registered a case against a US-based NGO and six identified individuals over allegations of illicit financial activities involving approximately ₹92.55 crore.
The Kothanur police initiated the First Information Report (FIR) on June 11, 2026, based on a detailed complaint submitted by ED assistant director Sunil Kumar Sinhmar. The charges invoked include provisions from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), highlighting the gravity of the accusations regarding foreign fund misuse and potential links to unlawful operations.
Details of the Alleged Financial Irregularities
The individuals named in the FIR include Jonathan S. Rajan, Micah Mark, Ajit Verghese Mathai, Varghese Chacko, Bablu Kurmi, and Supreme Joy, alongside the US-based organization The Timothy Initiative. Investigations conducted under the Income-Tax Act and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) between April 18 and April 19 revealed a network utilizing foreign-origin debit cards issued by a bank in the United States to withdraw and allocate funds across India.
The agency estimates that roughly ₹92.55 crore ($99,95,240) was funneled through this system between November 2025 and April 2026. The FIR notes that Micah Mark was intercepted at Kempegowda International Airport on April 18 while allegedly carrying 24 foreign debit cards. Reports suggest that over 1,000 such cards were distributed nationwide, many purportedly bearing the identifier 'Santosh Kumar'.
Impact on Sensitive Regions
The ED’s findings further indicate that suspicious withdrawals were traced to areas significantly affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE), specifically Dhamtari and Bastar in Chhattisgarh. Financial records suggest that approximately ₹6.34 crore was withdrawn from these regions over the past few years, raising serious concerns about the potential channelling of capital into Naxalite-influenced zones. This pattern has been cited by investigators as evidence of an organized network aimed at facilitating illicit activities under the UAPA framework.
Furthermore, authorities have alleged the destruction of electronic evidence, noting that Micah Mark reportedly admitted to deleting his account from a backend system. Ajit Verghese Mathai is accused of managing the organization's Indian financial operations, while Jonathan S. Rajan allegedly oversaw the group's overall activities. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities scrutinize the claims of conspiracy, forgery, and the prohibited use of electronic records for illegal purposes.
