ED raids two Jaipur premises in FEMA case over ₹2.88 crore foreign fund misuse
Synopsis
The ED has raided a Jaipur-based Protestant missionary and his wife over alleged misdeclaration of ₹2.88 crore in foreign remittances — bypassing FCRA registration — with investigators alleging the funds were diverted to personal use, property purchases, and proselytisation activities among SC and ST communities in Rajasthan.
Key Takeaways
The Enforcement Directorate searched two premises in Jaipur on 22 August under FEMA, 1999 .
Pastor Ravi Mohan Pahadiya of Hope Ministry and his wife Gunjan Sharma allegedly received around ₹2.34 crore in foreign remittances, misdeclared as consultancy and family maintenance payments.
Total alleged foreign donations received without FCRA permission amount to around ₹2.88 crore , primarily from US-based donor Thomas Eugene Lynch .
Funds were allegedly diverted to personal expenses , foreign travel , and property purchase , not declared charitable purposes.
Investigators also allege the funds supported proselytisation activities among SC-Valmiki and ST-Bhill communities in Jaipur and South Rajasthan .
Incriminating documents and digital devices were seized; further investigation is ongoing.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday, 22 August conducted search operations at two premises in Jaipur under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA), targeting alleged misutilisation of foreign donations reportedly exceeding ₹2.88 crore received without mandatory Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration. The searches were carried out by the ED's Jaipur Zonal Office based on intelligence inputs.
Who Is Under Investigation
The probe centres on Pastor Ravi Mohan Pahadiya, a Protestant missionary affiliated with Hope Ministry, and his wife Gunjan Sharma. According to the ED, the couple allegedly received combined foreign remittances totalling around ₹2.34 crore, with a substantial portion traced to Thomas Eugene Lynch, a US-based donor.
Investigators allege that the remittances were misdeclared — listed under categories such as business and management consultancy, public relations services, and inward remittances from non-resident Indians for family maintenance and savings — rather than as foreign donations, which would have required FCRA clearance.
What the Funds Were Allegedly Used For
The ED's investigation prima facie indicates that the foreign funds, allegedly amounting to around ₹2.88 crore in total donations received without FCRA permission, were used for personal expenses, foreign travel, and purchase of property in Pahadiya's name. The funds were allegedly intended, according to investigators, for proselytisation and conversion activities among SC-Valmiki and ST-Bhill communities in Jaipur and tribal-dominated areas of South Rajasthan.
It has also prima facie emerged, according to the ED, that Pahadiya was in regular contact with foreign nationals and allegedly organised meetings and religious gatherings for proselytisation activities among underprivileged and tribal communities across various states, purportedly on their instructions.
What Was Seized
During the search operations, ED officials seized various incriminating documents and digital devices from the two premises. These materials are expected to form the evidentiary basis for the next phase of the investigation.
Regulatory and Legal Context
Under FCRA, any individual or organisation receiving foreign contributions for religious, social, or educational purposes must obtain prior registration or permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Bypassing this requirement by misdeclaring the nature of remittances is a violation enforceable under both FCRA and FEMA. This case is among a series of ED actions in recent years targeting alleged FCRA violations by religious organisations across India.
What Happens Next
The ED has confirmed that further investigation is underway. Depending on findings from the seized documents and devices, the agency may proceed with attachment of assets or file a formal complaint before the designated adjudicating authority under FEMA. No arrests have been reported in connection with this case so far.
Point of View
Particularly involving conversion-linked organisations. What distinguishes this action is the specific allegation of misdeclaration — routing donations as consultancy fees or NRI remittances — which, if proven, would constitute deliberate regulatory circumvention rather than a paperwork lapse. The ED's focus on SC and ST community targeting adds a socially sensitive dimension that will likely draw both political attention and civil liberties scrutiny. With digital devices seized, the investigation's reach could extend well beyond Jaipur.
NationPress
22 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the ED raid premises in Jaipur under FEMA?
The ED conducted searches at two Jaipur premises on 22 August under FEMA, 1999, over alleged misutilisation of foreign donations exceeding ₹2.88 crore received without mandatory FCRA registration. Investigators allege the funds were misdeclared and diverted from their stated purposes.
Who is Pastor Ravi Mohan Pahadiya?
Ravi Mohan Pahadiya is a Protestant missionary affiliated with Hope Ministry in Jaipur. The ED alleges he and his wife Gunjan Sharma received around ₹2.34 crore in foreign remittances, primarily from US-based donor Thomas Eugene Lynch, without obtaining FCRA clearance.
What is FCRA and why does it matter here?
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act requires individuals and organisations receiving foreign funds for religious, social, or educational purposes to register with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Receiving such funds without registration — or misdeclaring their purpose — is a punishable offence enforceable under both FCRA and FEMA.
What were the funds allegedly used for?
According to the ED, the funds were allegedly used for personal expenses, foreign travel, and property purchase in Pahadiya's name, rather than declared purposes. Investigators also allege a portion was directed toward proselytisation activities among SC-Valmiki and ST-Bhill communities in Jaipur and South Rajasthan.
What happens next in the ED investigation?
The ED has confirmed that further investigation is ongoing following the seizure of documents and digital devices. The agency may proceed with asset attachment or file a formal complaint under FEMA depending on evidence gathered. No arrests have been reported so far.
