CBI to probe foreign fund transfer to Teesta-linked firm, freezes account

NEW DELHI: The home ministry on Friday ordered a CBI probe against activist Teesta Setalvad’s company, Sabrang Communications & Publishing Pvt Ltd for allegedly receiving unauthorised foreign funds and froze a bank account of the company in Mumbai.

SCPPL is alleged to have received a donation of Rs 1.83 cr and Rs 1.31 cr from the US-based Ford Foundation without a Foreign Contribution Regulation Act license, the ministry said. “SCPPL is a private limited company engaged in publications which is not entrusted to receive foreign contribution. If the company thought otherwise, they could have applied for prior nod before accepting foreign donations,” the MHA order said.