The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday carried out raids on the premises of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) run by climate activist Harjeet Singh and his wife Jyoti Awasthi, in a probe relating to alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The development comes amid growing scrutiny of foreign funds received by NGOs engaged in environmental advocacy and policy influence.

Scope of the Investigation

According to officials familiar with the matter, the ED is investigating foreign funds worth over ₹6 crore received by Singh’s organisation, Satat Sampada Private Ltd (SSPL), between 2021 and 2025. The agency alleges that these funds, ostensibly for consultancy services, were in fact utilised to run narratives intended to influence government policy in India’s energy sector. The NGO, led by Singh, has been active in international climate forums and is widely recognised as a spokesperson for the interests of the Global South in climate negotiations.

While SSPL promotes initiatives such as organic agriculture and farmer support programs, the ED has suggested that these activities were a “front” for advocacy efforts aimed at advancing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FF-NPT) agenda in India. The FF-NPT is a global civil society initiative seeking a legally binding framework to halt the expansion of coal, oil, and gas exploitation while facilitating a transition to renewable energy resources. India, however, is not formally a participant in the campaign.

Raids and Findings

ED teams conducted searches at Singh’s residence, as well as the NGO’s offices in Delhi and Ghaziabad. While the agency has not publicly disclosed any direct findings from the searches related to FEMA violations, officials indicated that about 45 bottles of liquor were seized from Singh’s residence, which could constitute a violation of excise rules.

Sanjay Singh, Assistant Excise Commissioner in Ghaziabad, confirmed to HT that a team had been dispatched based on information provided by the ED. He stated that an FIR will be registered for violation of excise laws and appropriate action will be taken.

One ED official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “SSPL and its founders have received substantial foreign inward remittances, ostensibly for consultancy charges. Cross-verification of filings made by the remitters abroad indicates that these transfers were actually intended to promote FF-NPT narratives within India, which could have implications for the country’s energy security.”

Another officer added that the NGO’s reported activities, such as encouraging organic agricultural practices and supporting farmers in marketing organic produce, were only a cover for promoting FF-NPT in India on behalf of foreign organisations.

Funding Sources

Officials disclosed that the NGO’s foreign funding primarily came from international climate advocacy groups, including Climate Action Network (CAN), Oyster HR, and Stand Earth. The ED is reportedly scrutinising the correspondence, financial records, and consultancy agreements to determine whether the inflows breached FEMA regulations by being directed towards activities perceived as influencing domestic policy rather than legitimate consultancy services.

Context and Implications

The ED’s action reflects a heightened vigilance on the use of foreign funds by Indian NGOs in policy advocacy, particularly in areas that intersect with national economic and energy security. While NGOs often operate with international support for developmental and environmental causes, the agency is concerned that certain activities may constitute indirect foreign influence on domestic policy decisions.

Harjeet Singh has been a visible figure at international climate summits, advocating for renewable energy adoption and representing Global South perspectives on equity and climate justice. The raids are likely to trigger a debate on the fine line between legitimate advocacy and foreign-directed policy influence, particularly in sensitive sectors like energy.

Officials emphasised that the investigation is ongoing, and the ED is yet to file any formal charges under FEMA or other laws. “The teams are reviewing all financial inflows, project reports, and communication to determine whether violations occurred,” an officer said.

Reactions

At this stage, SSPL and its founders have not issued a public statement regarding the raids. Observers suggest that the development could lead to tighter monitoring of foreign funding for NGOs, particularly those active in areas like energy and climate policy where national security concerns intersect with global activism.

The case highlights the complex regulatory environment in India surrounding foreign funds and the balance between facilitating global collaborations on climate issues and safeguarding national policy autonomy.

As the investigation continues, the ED is expected to examine the NGO’s financial accounts, donor communications, and programmatic activities in detail to ascertain whether the foreign contributions were utilised strictly for permissible purposes or to indirectly influence policy decisions in India.

The Satat Sampada Private Ltd case underscores the growing scrutiny of NGOs operating at the intersection of climate activism, international advocacy, and domestic policy, signalling a cautious approach by Indian authorities towards foreign-supported advocacy efforts in strategic sectors.