ED Searches Jaisalmer Premises Over Alleged Misuse of ₹5.10 Crore in Foreign Donations
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Jaipur Zonal Office, conducted search operations at two premises in Jaisalmer on September 19, 2026, in connection with the alleged misuse of foreign donations worth approximately ₹5.10 crore.
The searches were carried out under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999. The investigation concerns allegations that foreign funds received from a Belgium-based organisation were accepted without the required registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, and used for purposes other than those declared.
According to the ED, the investigation began after the agency received specific intelligence that Deu Ram, a resident of Jaisalmer, was allegedly receiving foreign funds from Belgium-based entities for activities involving religious conversion among vulnerable sections of society.
The agency’s investigation revealed that Deu Ram and his associate, Gyan Chand, received foreign remittances totalling approximately ₹5.10 crore. These payments were allegedly declared under categories such as educational services, cultural and recreational activities, and remittances from non-resident Indians for family maintenance and savings.
The ED identified Amar ASBL, which describes itself as a Brussels-based non-profit organisation, as the primary source of these funds.
During the searches, investigators recovered documents and digital evidence that the agency described as incriminating. The investigation also found that Amar ASBL was established in Brussels in 2011 and is managed by Belgian nationals Jose Goffinet and his son, Salian Goffinet.
According to the ED, although the organisation’s activities were concentrated in Jaisalmer, it had not registered a trust or non-governmental organisation in India. Instead, the agency alleged, it had been operating in the area through Deu Ram and Gyan Chand for approximately 14–15 years.
The ED further alleged that Deu Ram received ₹5.10 crore from Amar ASBL without the required FCRA permission and misrepresented the purpose of the remittances. The agency suspects that the funds were used for personal expenses and activities aimed at influencing the cultural and religious beliefs of vulnerable communities, allegedly under the guise of providing educational services to children.
The investigation found that approximately ₹2.60 crore was withdrawn in cash from Deu Ram’s bank account. The agency also noted that proper books of account and financial records relating to the receipt and use of the foreign donations were allegedly not maintained.
The ED further alleged that Deu Ram and Gyan Chand remained in regular contact with Jose Goffinet and Salian Goffinet, who reportedly visited Jaisalmer every year for two to three weeks. During these visits, they allegedly met the parents and relatives of children and organised meetings and religious gatherings to promote their cultural and religious beliefs and practices.
Investigators also found discrepancies in the stated purposes of the foreign remittances. According to the ED, the funds were reported to banks under several purpose codes, including family maintenance and savings, educational services, cultural and recreational services, commission agent services, and employee compensation.
However, the agency alleged that no corresponding educational, cultural or recreational services were actually provided to Amar ASBL. Instead, the funds were reportedly managed and used to support the organisation’s activities in Jaisalmer.
The ED’s investigation further revealed that after banks reportedly declined fresh foreign remittances into the accounts of Deu Ram and Gyan Chand, attempts were allegedly made to route funds through the personal bank accounts of other related individuals in Jaisalmer.
The investigation is ongoing as the agency examines the movement and utilisation of the foreign funds and the activities allegedly financed through them.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
