Supreme Court lawyer Indira Jaising's human rights advocacy firm has been served a notice by the Union Home Ministry. The notice has been served to the firm for allegedly receiving foreign funding to the tune of Rs 11 crore in violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
The foreign funds were allegedly received when Jaising was Additional Solicitor General between 2009 and 2012. Jaising was an appointee of the previous UPA government.
Notable, Jaising is the lawyer of social activist Teesta Setalvad, who is accused of forex violations.
'Lawyers Collective' has allegedly received foreign contribution between 2006-07 and 2013-14 and the Home Ministry reportedly found discrepancy in the filing of annual returns of the NGO where Jaising, who had served as the Additional Solicitor General in UPA government, was functioning as Secretary.
"Yes, the Home Ministry has served a show cause notice to Ms Indira Jaising under FCRA," a Home Ministry spokesperson said.
On behalf of 'Lawyers Collective' and Jaising, a statement was issued saying that "neither I nor the Lawyers Collective has received any notice from you under FCRA relating to allegations about violation of the FCRA or any other law. As and when it is received, it will be responded in accordance with law."
However, the statement disclosed receiving a letter requesting them to answer a "standard questionnaire, which we are in the process of replying" by December 7.
Jaising said, "I am indeed surprised that the notice seems to have been released to the press, even before it is served on Lawyers Collective or me or before I or the Lawyers Collective have had an opportunity to respond to it.
"I am constrained to come to the conclusion that this is an exercise in creating a negative public perception about me and the Lawyers Collective and not about the alleged violations of law."
She expressed hope that the government would follow the legal route, rather than use the press to "achieve extraneous aims".
"I, therefore, request that you refrain from issuing copies of alleged notices, which are meant for me or the Lawyers Collective, to the press and observe due process of law," Jaising, who is at present in the US, said in the statement.
She again reiterated that no notice has been received about the allegations about the violations of the FCRA or any law by her or the 'Lawyers Collective'.
"If it has indeed been issued, you are requested to send it to the registered address of the Lawyers Collective, if it pertains to the Lawyers Collective, or to me if it pertains to me so that an appropriate reply can be made," she said. Lawyers Collective has its registered office in Mumbai.
(With PTI Inputs)
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