The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun a preliminary enquiry into allegations that Ladakh-based activist Sonam Wangchuk and an institute he founded may have violated rules on foreign funding, officials confirmed on Thursday.
According to an officer familiar with the matter, Wangchuk was summoned by the agency but has not yet appeared before them.
The CBI initiated the enquiry nearly two months ago after receiving a reference from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The process, which precedes the filing of a formal case, is focused on Wangchuk and the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL). Investigators are currently going through financial records of both the activist and the institute, the officer added.
Responding to the development, Wangchuk told PTI that a team from the agency had visited HIAL and the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) last week, asking for details of foreign funding received between 2022 and 2024. “The order said we have not taken clearance under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) to receive foreign funds. We don’t want to be dependent on foreign funds, but we export our knowledge and raise revenue. In three such instances, they thought it was foreign contribution,” Wangchuk said.
The Centre has also accused the activist of fueling unrest in Ladakh earlier this week. Officials claimed that his references to Arab Spring-style protests and comparisons to recent demonstrations in Nepal misled people and contributed to violence.
“A hunger strike was started by Sonam Wangchuk on September 10 stating the demand of (bringing the UT under) 6th schedule (of constitution) and statehood for Ladakh. It is well known that the government of India has been actively engaged with Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on the same issues. A series of meetings were held with them through a formal channel of high-powered committee as well as sub-committee and multiple informal meetings with leaders,” the MHA said in a statement.
“The demands on which Wangchuk was on hunger strike are an integral part of the discussion in HPC. In spite of many leaders urging to call off the hunger strike he continued with the hunger strike and misleading the people through provocative mention of Arab Spring-style protest and references to Gen Z protests in Nepal,” the ministry said.
Detailing the events of Wednesday, the ministry alleged that around 11:30 am a group of protestors, reportedly influenced by Wangchuk’s remarks, left the hunger strike site and attacked the office of a political party as well as the Leh district administration. “They also set these offices on fire, attacked the security personnel, and torched a police vehicle. The unruly mob attacked the police personnel in which more than 30 police/CRPF personnel were injured. The mob continued to destroy the public property and attack the police personnel. In self-defence, police had to resort to firing in which unfortunately some casualties were reported,” it said.
