Two MHA officials arrested for seeking ‘illegal gratification’ for FCRA registration

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The Delhi Police Special Cell arrested two government officials for allegedly seeking illegal gratification from an association in return for facilitating its pending registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday (September 29, 2026).

The two officials, a senior accountant and an accountant, were apprehended in New Delhi on September 28. The arrests were made based on specific information received by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the statement said.

One of them is presently posted in the Foreigners Division of the MHA, while the other is currently posted in a Pay and Accounts Office and had earlier served in the Foreigners Division, the Ministry said.

Preliminary questioning has revealed that the two officials were allegedly in contact with certain associations and sought gratification for facilitating their registration and renewal under the FCRA, it said. The MHA said further investigation into the matter is under way and appropriate legal and departmental action is being taken against the accused officials.

All organisations and NGOs receiving foreign funding have to mandatorily register under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) and their activities are closely monitored by the Ministry of Home Affairs acting as nodal authority to ensure that such funds do not adversely affect the country’s internal security.

As on June 22 this year, there are 14,456 FCRA-registered NGOs active in the country. MHA has said the FCRA registered NGOs receive approximately ₹22,000 crore annually.

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