Two MHA officials held for allegedly seeking bribe to facilitate FCRA registration

Delhi Police apprehends two MHA officials in alleged FCRA bribery case

NEW DELHI: Two officials of the Union home ministry have been apprehended for allegedly seeking a bribe from an association to facilitate its registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), PTI reported on Tuesday.The Delhi Police Special Cell, in coordination with central agencies, apprehended the two officials, a senior accountant and an accountant, in New Delhi on September 28, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).One of the officials is currently posted in the MHA’s Foreigners Division, while the other is posted in a Pay and Accounts Office and had previously served in the Foreigners Division, the ministry said.

Preliminary questioning indicated that the two officials were allegedly in contact with certain associations and sought gratification to facilitate their FCRA registration and renewal, the MHA said.The ministry said further investigation was under way and appropriate legal and departmental action was being taken against the accused officials.Reiterating its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, the MHA said all FCRA-related services are provided online through the FCRA portal.“No intermediary, agent or individual is authorised to facilitate any FCRA service,” the ministry said.(With PTI inputs)