CBI Raid Part of Long Chain of Harassment of Mander, Say Activists

Following the registration of an FIR against human rights activist Harsh Mander and his research and advocacy organisation Centre for Equity Studies by the Central Bureau of Investigation for alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, over 250 eminent citizens demanded on Friday the closure of the FIR and the investigations against him.

In a press statement signed by PUCL president Kavita Srivastava, economist Jean Dreze, writer and columnist Apoorvanand, National Federation of Indian Women president Aruna Roy, and Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan’s co-founder Nikhil Dey among others, the members of the civil society condemned the “continued victimisation and intimidation of Dr Harsh Mander”.

The statement read: “[The] raid is a part of the long chain of harassment of Dr Harsh Mander, his colleagues, his family and former and present board members of the Centre for Equity Studies. It is important to know that since 2020 multiple investigating agencies of the Government including the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing, Income Tax (IT) authorities, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and now the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) have been carrying out what can only be described as a vindictive witch hunt. In not a single case has a chargesheet been presented in a court of law”

The statement argued that the attacks on Mander and CES are an attack on “all of civil society in India and all those who work to promote constitutional values”.

“We demand the closure of all investigations including the CBI FIR against Harsh Mander, his colleagues and the CES,” said the statement.

Read the full statement below:

Press Statement

Over 250 citizens condemn the harassment by Indian State agencies of Dr. Harsh Mander, Director Centre for Equity studies, New Delhi. Demand closure of the FIR filed by the CBI and all other investigations underway.

We the undersigned unequivocally condemn the continued victimisation and intimidation of Dr. Harsh Mander. We are deeply disturbed by the raid on the morning of 2nd February, 2024 at the residence of Dr. Harsh Mander and ongoing raid on the Centre for Equity Studies, the organisation founded by Dr. Harsh Mander.

Harsh Mander is a widely respected and internationally acclaimed human rights activist who has taken up issues of those most oppressed.

Today’s raid is a part of the long chain of harassment of Dr. Harsh Mander, his colleagues, his family and former and present board members of the Centre for Equity Studies. It is important to know that since 2020 multiple investigating agencies of the Government including National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Delhi Police’s Economic offences wing, Income Tax (IT) authorities, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and now the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) have been carrying out what can only be described as a vindictive witch hunt. In not a single case has a chargesheet been presented in a court of law.

These egregious attacks on Harsh Mander and the CES are an attack on all of civil society in India and all those who work to promote constitutional values.

It is clear from the FIR No. RC2202024 E0002/EO II/N.D. under sections 35 r/w 7,8,12(4) (a) (vi) and section 39 of FCRA Act 2010 invoked by the CBI, that the charges being brought under Mr. Mander are entirely fabricated and without any material basis.

We demand the closure of all investigations including the CBI FIR against Harsh Mander, his colleagues and the CES.

Speaking on the raids, Dr. Mander said that he was further strengthened in his resolve and added that “my life, my writings and my work are my only response”.

We stand in solidarity with Dr. Mander, in his determined resolve to preserve the principles and values of constitutional India.