Row over Rs 50 lakh funding to Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust and alleged link to Zakir Naik

New Delhi: Controversy has broken out over alleged funding to Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust (RGCT), with Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe unearthing sensational details.

The ED probe into Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) has revealed Rs 50 lakh transaction between Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s NGO and RGCT, reports Republic TV.

During the course of investigation, it came to light that Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust received Rs 50 lakh from Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation. The RGCT received money during UPA govt in August 2011 and the same was returned four and half years later after the controversial Islamic preacher escaped from India and a case was registered against him by the NIA.

These donations sparked row, ministerial panel to probe

RGCT has been in the eye of storm over range of illicit fundings to it. Days before, news broke out that Rajiv Gandhi foundation received undisclosed amount of donations from fugitive diamontaire Mehul Choksi.

The foundation also received funding by Chinese govt-linked organization, stirring major controversy. BJP alleged that RGF received money to the tune of Rs 90 lakh by Chinese embassy.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has set up an inter-ministerial committee to probe various alleged violations of legal provisions like the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), Income Tax Act and Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) by the Gandhi family-run Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust and Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.

About Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust (RGCT)

RGCT is a registered, not-for-profit organisation established in 2002 headed by Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi, as per its official website.

Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust has Congress President Sonia Gandhi as its chairperson and then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, P Chidambaram, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as members.