Karnataka Police book 7 over ₹95 crore foreign Maoist funding via US missionary link
Synopsis
Karnataka Police have booked seven people — including individuals allegedly linked to US missionary group The Timothy Initiative — for allegedly routing ₹95 crore in foreign funds to Maoist networks. With 24 foreign debit cards recovered and shell companies in Bengaluru under scrutiny, the case exposes what investigators describe as a multi-state financial pipeline sustaining Left-Wing Extremism.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka Police registered an FIR on 13 June against seven individuals for allegedly channelling foreign funds for Maoist activities.
The accused include persons allegedly linked to The Timothy Initiative (TTI) , a US-based Christian missionary organisation.
Foreign fund transactions and utilisation allegedly amounting to ₹95 crore were uncovered during Enforcement Directorate raids in April 2025 .
24 foreign debit cards were reportedly recovered from accused Mica Mark ; funds were allegedly withdrawn via a Truist Bank (US) debit card.
The FIR is registered under the UAPA and BNS ; a special team led by an ACP is now probing the case.
Shell companies allegedly linked to the network were reportedly traced to Bengaluru .
Karnataka Police have registered an FIR against seven individuals, including persons allegedly linked to the US-based Christian missionary organisation The Timothy Initiative (TTI), on charges of channelling foreign funds for Maoist activities in India. The case was registered by Kothanur Police in Bengaluru on Saturday, 13 June, based on a complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The FIR has been booked under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), with a special investigation team now tasked with the probe.
Who Has Been Named
The accused identified in the FIR are Jonathan S. Rajan of Bengaluru, Supreme Joy of Mysuru, Mica Mark, Ajith Vargheese Mathai, Vargees Choco of Chhattisgarh, and Bablu Karmi of Assam, among others. The accused span multiple states, pointing to what investigators describe as a coordinated network.
What the ED Raids Uncovered
The case originates from Enforcement Directorate raids conducted in April 2025, during which officials allegedly uncovered transactions and utilisation of foreign funds amounting to ₹95 crore. Investigators reportedly found that funds were withdrawn in India using a debit card issued by the US-based Truist Bank in the name of one Santhosh Kumar.
During the searches, 24 foreign debit cards were allegedly recovered from accused Mica Mark. According to investigators, preliminary findings indicate that several financial transactions were carried out in Maoist-affected regions of Chhattisgarh.
Shell Companies and Bengaluru Links
During the interrogation of accused Ajith Vargheese Mathai, officials reportedly gathered information regarding shell companies operating out of Bengaluru. Authorities are continuing to investigate the source, movement, and utilisation of the funds, as well as any potential links to banned Maoist organisations.
This comes amid a broader national crackdown on alleged foreign funding routes that investigators say are being used to sustain Left-Wing Extremism in central and eastern India. The ED's involvement signals that money-laundering angles are being pursued in parallel with the criminal case.
Special Team and Next Steps
Given the gravity of the allegations, a special investigation team (SIT) headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) has been constituted to lead the probe. The team is expected to submit its findings to central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate. Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
Point of View
But investigators have so far only alleged a link to individuals associated with TTI, not to the organisation itself. That distinction matters legally and editorially. What is notable is the geographic spread of the accused — Bengaluru, Mysuru, Chhattisgarh, Assam — and the use of foreign debit cards, suggesting a layered financial architecture that standard state police units are rarely equipped to unravel alone. The SIT's dependence on ED findings will be a test of inter-agency coordination.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why have Karnataka Police filed an FIR against seven individuals?
Karnataka Police registered the FIR on 13 June based on an Enforcement Directorate complaint, alleging that the seven individuals were involved in channelling foreign funds amounting to ₹95 crore for Maoist activities in India. The case has been booked under UAPA and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
What is The Timothy Initiative (TTI) and what is its alleged role?
The Timothy Initiative (TTI) is a US-based Christian missionary organisation. Some of the accused are allegedly linked to TTI, and investigators are examining whether its funds were diverted for Maoist activities — though the organisation itself has not been formally charged.
What did the Enforcement Directorate find during its April 2025 raids?
The ED raids allegedly uncovered ₹95 crore in foreign fund transactions, 24 foreign debit cards recovered from accused Mica Mark, and evidence of withdrawals made in India using a Truist Bank (US) debit card. Investigators also found indications of shell companies operating from Bengaluru.
Who are the accused named in the FIR?
The accused are Jonathan S. Rajan of Bengaluru, Supreme Joy of Mysuru, Mica Mark, Ajith Vargheese Mathai, Vargees Choco of Chhattisgarh, and Bablu Karmi of Assam, among others.
What happens next in the investigation?
A special investigation team headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police has been constituted to lead the probe. The SIT is expected to submit its findings to central agencies including the Enforcement Directorate, which is pursuing parallel money-laundering angles.
