Rajiv Gandhi Foundation Faces Jharsuguda Police Heat in Rahul Gandhi Speech Case

Jharsuguda: The  Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF), having headquar in New Delhi, has been served a formal notice by the Jharsuguda police, to provide records of its finances and foreign contributions.

The move is linked to a case filed last year against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over alleged anti-national remarks made in February 2024, reported The New Indian Express.

According to the notice issued by Jharsuguda SDPO Umashankar Singh on September 3, RGF’s finance director, Sandeep Anand, has been asked to appear before the investigating officer by November 4. The foundation must submit records of foreign donations since its inception in 1991, including bank account details, auditor names, and its FCRA licence. Police have invoked Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, demanding a year-wise breakdown of grants and clarification on alleged fund diversion from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund during the UPA regime. The notice also seeks explanations regarding contributions from organisations deemed contrary to India’s national interests.

Failure to comply may attract penal action under Section 210 of BNSS. The case is linked to Rahul Gandhi’s speech on January 15, 2024, during the opening of the new Congress headquarters in New Delhi. Local residents, including Ramhari Pujari, filed a complaint, and an FIR was registered on February 7 at the Jharsuguda police station. The charges include making statements that could harm India’s unity and cause public unrest.