Decide on CBI probe into foreign funding: HC

The Delhi high court on Wednesday directed the Centre to consider in three months a plea seeking CBI inquiry against members of Team Anna for allegedly receiving funds from foreign organisations to run their agitation for Lokpal bill.

A bench of acting chief justice AK Sikri and justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw asked Additional Solicitor General AS Chandhiok to treat the PIL as a representation and dispose it of in three months after giving a hearing to the petitioner who alleged that Team Anna violated the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).

The bench also directed petitioner Manohar Lal Sharma, an advocate, to submit a copy of petition to the home ministry.
In his petition, Sharma submitted that the FCRA mandates the members to seek permission from the central government in order to receive any fund from any foreign company or organisation.

The members have violated FCRA and the Centre has failed to take any action against them, it alleged. Citing a list of some foreign organisations, the petitioner sought the court to declare the agitation launched by Team Anna as illegal.