CBI Raid on Activist Harsh Mander Viewed as ‘Witch Hunt’
‘My Life and My Work Are My only Response,’ Mander Says
Newsreel Asia Insight #121
Feb. 4, 2024
Photo by the Centre for Equity Studies
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids on the premises of Harsh Mander, a human rights activist and former Indian Administrative Service officer, and the Centre for Equity Studies (CES), an organisation he is associated with, on Feb. 2. This action has led to criticism, with many viewing it as a politically motivated attempt to silence one of the government’s most articulate critics.
The CBI’s investigation alleges that the CES improperly managed funds, including transferring 3.27 million rupees to individual accounts and diverting 1 million rupees through firms, actions purportedly in contravention of regulations under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, during the fiscal year 2020-21, ThePrint reported .
Previously, the Union home ministry suspended the CES’s FCRA licence for 180 days, citing similar violations. The CES works in the areas of urban poverty and homelessness, rural livelihood and agrarian crisis, labour migration, forest and tribal rights, manual scavenging and sewer work, gender, social justice, communal violence and right to food. The ministry had noted at the time that Mander had been writing columns for The Indian Express, The Hindu, The Wire, the Hindustan Times, The Quint and Scroll, as reported by Scroll.in.
Since 2020, Mander and the CES have faced investigations by various government agencies, including the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing, Income Tax authorities and the Enforcement Directorate. Despite these numerous inquiries, no chargesheets have been filed in court, leading to concerns about the nature and intent of these investigations.
In reaction to the CBI’s recent raids, over 250 individuals and groups have publicly expressed their solidarity with Mander, describing the investigations as a targeted campaign against him and his organisation, as reported by The Wire. The agencies “have been carrying out what can only be described as a vindictive witch hunt,” they wrote, arguing that the charges lack a factual basis and call for an immediate cessation of all ongoing investigations.
The signatories include former Indian Navy chief Admiral L. Ramdas, economist Jean Dreze and social activists Medha Patkar and Aruna Roy.
Mander’s career has been marked by a transition from public service to active engagement in social activism. He has been at the forefront of campaigns supporting victims of communal violence and has played a significant role in policy discussions through his involvement in various national committees and advisory councils.
Mander founded the Karwan-e-Mohabbat campaign and contributed to the Right to Food Campaign as Special Commissioner to the Supreme Court of India. His writings and advocacy efforts have consistently focused on promoting human rights and democratic values.
Mander responded to the raid by saying, “My life, my writings and my work are my only response.”
The CBI, operating under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and typically headed by the Prime Minister, is tasked with investigating serious crimes and corruption. While the CBI has been recognised for its role in uncovering significant corruption cases and bringing high-profile criminals to justice, critics argue that the agency’s dependence on the central government for approvals, staffing and funding makes it susceptible to political influence.
