The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting a preliminary inquiry (PE) into alleged violations of foreign funding laws by Ladakh-based activist Sonam Wangchuk and the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL), officials confirmed on Thursday.
The inquiry, initiated around two months ago on a reference from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), is examining financial statements of both HIAL and Wangchuk. Officials said no FIR has been registered so far. “There has been an inquiry going on for some time but no FIR has been registered yet,” an officer stated.
Wangchuk was called by the agency to appear but has not yet responded. According to him, a CBI team also visited HIAL and the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) last week, seeking details of foreign funds received between 2022 and 2024.
MHA Links Wangchuk to Ladakh Violence
Wangchuk said that the order cited the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).
“The order said we have not taken clearance under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) to receive foreign funds. We don’t want to be dependent on foreign funds, but we export our knowledge and raise revenue. In three such instances, they thought it was foreign contribution,” he said.
Meanwhile, the MHA accused Wangchuk of misleading people in Ladakh, linking him to Wednesday’s violence.
“A hunger strike was started by Sonam Wangchuk on September 10 stating the demand of (bringing the UT under) 6th schedule (of constitution) and statehood for Ladakh,” the ministry said, adding that the demands are already being discussed with Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
The ministry further alleged, “In spite of many leaders urging to call off the hunger strike he continued with the hunger strike and misleading the people through provocative mention of Arab Spring-style protest and references to Gen Z protests in Nepal.”
According to the MHA, at around 11:30 am on Wednesday, a mob allegedly instigated by Wangchuk’s speeches left the hunger strike venue, attacked a political party office and the Leh chief’s office, set them on fire, and torched a police vehicle. “The unruly mob attacked the police personnel in which more than 30 police/CRPF personnel were injured. In self-defence, police had to resort to firing in which unfortunately some casualties were reported,” the statement added.
