By Admin 
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated an investigation into violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act against an institute in Ladakh and activist Sonam Wangchuk. On Thursday (September 25, 2025), officials said that investigation has been going on for some time, but no FIR has been registered so far. On contacting, Wangchuk told the news agency PTI-language that a CBI team had brought an order about 10 days ago, stating that he was taking action on the complaint of the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the violation of the alleged Foreign contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) in the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh.
Wangchuk claimed, ‘It was said in the order that we have not taken approval under FCRA to get foreign funds. We do not want to depend on foreign wealth, but we raise revenue through our knowledge. In three such cases, he felt that this was a foreign contribution. He said that a CBI team visited HIAL and Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOAL) last week and sought the details of foreign funds received between 2022 and 2024.
He informed that the team is still camping in Ladakh and is checking the accounts and bank details of the organizations. Wangchuk alleged, ‘This was a very dignified work. They saw it and they were convinced. They understood that they are not getting any help from this, so they started asking for accounts outside that period. He was mandated to examine accounts during 2022 and 2024, but started asking for accounts of 2021 and 2020. Then they went to our school and sought information about a school outside the scope of various documents and complaints outside the period of their mandate.
Both these schools impart free education to the needy young students. He said that in HIAL, students are given stipend for their work on various projects. Wangchuk said, “CBI officials are still camping in Ladakh and are investigating the records.” Wangchuk said that CBI officials have not questioned him. The worker said that the first local police registered a case of treason against him. Subsequently, it was ordered to withdraw the land given for HIAL citing non -payment of the lease amount.
He claimed, ‘Everyone knows that we have documents to show. The government almost apologized and said that their lease policy has not yet been made, so they cannot charge a fee. He said, “Please support us and continue construction.” Wangchuk alleged that after this the CBI action and the Income Tax Department summoned. He alleged, ‘Interestingly, Ladakh is a place where no tax is taxed. Still I voluntarily do it and I get summons.
On September 10, Wangchuk started a fast seeking inclusion of Ladakh in the sixth schedule and giving state status. On Wednesday, this union territory area saw the most horrific violence since 1989, when groups of youth set arson and sabotage, targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters and mountain council and set fire to vehicles. Officials said that the police and paramilitary forces had to fire tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.