New Delhi – A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into complaints of corruption and financial irregularities has been launched at the regional branches of India’s the Red Cross Society in four states and one union territory.
The Union health ministry received complaints about alleged corruption at regional branches of the Red Cross Society in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Karnataka, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, according to officials.
In Tamil Nadu, ministry officials said serious allegations about the state branch’s operation were brought to the governor’s attention, after which he asked the Red Cross Society’s national headquarters (NHQ) in Delhi in July 2020 for permission under the Prevention of Corruption Act to allow the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the matter.
“The accused chairman and other officers of the Tamil Nadu branch obtained a stay of prosecution from the Chennai High Court. The stay will end in June 2022. Currently, the chairman has resigned, and the case is being handled by the CBI “According to the ministry.
In addition, the governor disbanded the state managing committee and replaced it with an ad hoc committee.
In Kerala, a case of alleged misappropriation of funds by the chairman and vice-chairman in 2019 led to the NHQ recommending the dissolution of the managing committee.
A new managing committee has been formed following the appointment of an interim committee led by a high court judge shortly after the dissolution of the state committee, according to a ministry official.
Without proper elections, the general secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands branch had held the position for a long time.
The matter was referred to the Union Territory’s lieutenant governor based on a complaint.
According to officials, the general secretary was removed based on the LG’s recommendations and with the chairman’s approval.
In Assam, a delay in the election of the state managing committee and a land dispute prompted members of the managing body to visit the northeastern state and brief the governor on branch issues.
The high court ordered that elections be held, and a new state managing committee has been formed.
In Karnataka, the former chairman of the state branch established a trust in the name of the Red Cross. According to the officials, a FIR has been filed, and the trust has been dissolved.
