CBI investigates alleged FCRA violations at Sonam Wangchuk’s Ladakh institute

New Delhi, Sep 25: The Central Bureau of Investigation has launched a probe into possible violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act by the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL), founded by educationist and activist Sonam Wangchuk, officials confirmed on Thursday. No FIR has been registered yet.

Wangchuk said a CBI team arrived about 10 days ago with an order based on a Ministry of Home Affairs complaint regarding foreign funding. He maintained that HIAL does not depend on foreign donations but earns revenue by exporting knowledge through service agreements with bodies such as the United Nations, a Swiss university and an Italian organisation, with taxes duly paid.

According to him, CBI officials have been scrutinising accounts of HIAL and SECMOL, seeking details from 2022–24 but also asking for older records and documents from schools outside the complaint’s scope. He alleged this follows a series of actions against him, including a sedition case, land lease cancellation for HIAL, income tax notices, and a revived complaint about unpaid labourers.

Wangchuk recently began a hunger strike demanding Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule and statehood. Meanwhile, the region witnessed violent protests on Wednesday, with arson and vandalism targeting BJP offices, the Hill Council and vehicles, before security forces intervened with teargas.