INDIA RAIDS SOROS-BACKED GROUPS OVER FOREIGN FUNDING SCANDAL

India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out raids on eight offices in Bengaluru linked to George Soros’ Open Society Foundations (OSF) and Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF).

Officials allege the organizations violated foreign funding laws by channeling money into Indian NGOs and companies through questionable means.

According to investigators, the funds were disguised as consultancy fees and routed via foreign direct investment (FDI) to bypass tighter restrictions introduced in 2016.

One of the entities under investigation is Aspada Investments Pvt Ltd, which is said to have connections to Soros’ network in India.

The raids are part of a broader push by Indian authorities to scrutinize foreign contributions and their influence on domestic organizations.

Critics, however, argue that the crackdown may be politically motivated, raising concerns about shrinking space for independent and foreign-backed groups in the country.

So far, both OSF and SEDF have declined to issue any public statement regarding the investigation.